WACKER TELLS CONVENTION: "YOUR WORST ENEMIES ARE REALLY YOUR BEST FRIENDS."

Furniture World Magazine

In a mind-bending opening keynote session, futurist Watts Wacker challenged convention attendees to reset their course for the future. Wacker is co-author of "The 500-Year Delta: What Happens After What Comes Next" and a futurist with SR International Consulting. In addition to highlighting the retailing in the future, Wacker also delivered insights from the past. His recent study of companies that have been in existence 100-750 years yielded the following four keys to business longevity: access to capital; an "incredible" sensitivity to the interests of shareholders; a tolerance for "ambiguity of thought;" and, a focus on company "beliefs" rather than specific products or services. Putting this latter observation into context for the furniture industry, Wacker challenged industry executives to view themselves as being in the "making people comfortable in their home wherever it is" business, rather than in the business of making and selling furniture. He also challenged industry executives to recognize the new rules of order: "Your worst enemies are really your best friends," he said, urging manufacturers and retailers to develop new alliances and partnerships.