This money changes value based on where you spend it
- Thank you for finding the time to come to my party.
- Our pleasure. We’re so happy it’s getting harder every year to wish you something you don’t already have.
He smiles a little.
- You’re too kind.
- We’ve heard about your trip.
- And we put together a tiny gift.
She gives him a big gift bag.
He takes a beanie out of it.
- A beanie! Thank you.
She gives her partner a stare. He takes the beanie out of his hand and stuffs it into his right pocket.
- I’m sorry, this is mine. Your gift is at the bottom.
He smiles, unfolding a thick, glittering ribbon binding a brown box.
- A map?
- This is a map we put together with all the recommendations from colleagues at my local offices.
- Thank you, this will be so useful.
He hugs them. They both smile at the same time.
- Wait, but that’s not everything.
- There is some digital currency on the cashtag in the top right corner.
- Come on… you’re too kind. This is way too much.
- Just remember, it’s not like the standard currencies.
She interrupts him.
- Stop it. He knows this for sure.
- No, no, go on, I’ve heard something but never explored it.
- It’s digital, meaning it can’t be exchanged or withdrawn as cash, but…
He points his index finger at the map.
- This money changes value based on where you spend it. So, in some regions, times of day or types of places, the local or central government promotes it can be worth a lot more.
She points at the map.
- We’ve prioritised our recommendations to optimise for value, but be sure to double-check it closer to your trip.
A woman in a black dress stands out of the crowd and reaches for his hand.
- Birthday boy, my parents are here.
- Please excuse me. I’ll get back to you later. Help yourself at the bar. You’re the best!
- Happy birthday!
She drags him into the crowd.
Hello Practical Futurists,
Welcome to your weekly practice, where we use futures thinking and product sci-fi to improve your strategic imagination and get your leadership future-ready.
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Start here to make the most of your time if this is your first
rodeoedition.
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Weekly Self-Reflection Prompts
Let's make the products and services mentioned in this week’s story even more relatable by grounding them in your personal life.
Use this quote as a starting point for extra inspiration for each prompt.
Never before has the future so rapidly become the past.
Arnold H. Glasow
Personal life reflection prompts
Which aspects of your personal life do you optimise for output and which for outcome, and why?
Think of a gift you recently gave to a loved one or close friend. What three ideas would make it more personal and memorable if you could spend more time preparing it?
What three government incentives could improve your networking and relationship-building skills?
In what ways could you align your interests with professional development opportunities to grow faster?
Which personal relationship influenced your growth and opportunities the most? How have you expressed your gratitude recently?
What two things the most important gift you have ever received taught you about gratitude and appreciation?
If your government issued a digital currency with a variable value that changed with policy updates, what percentage of your savings would you feel comfortable converting?
Great.
And now, let’s switch to the context of the industry, organisation, team, service or product you are working with.
Professional life reflection prompts
In what two ways could your organisation make recognising employee milestones or achievements more personalised and meaningful?
How does your organisation integrate technological trends into your operations or offerings?
In what three ways does your organisation leverage local insights in global operations?
How could your business model incorporate or be impacted by digital currency, whose value varies based on location, time, and policy?
In what three ways could your product or service enhance its value based on location or time to improve customer engagement and satisfaction?
How do you advocate for optimising for outcomes instead of optimising for output? What is your go-to example to explain the main benefit?
Does your organisation leverage variable reward mechanics in an appreciation or rewards system for clients or customers?
Strategic partnerships with which two companies would immediately improve the value your business delivers to clients or customers?
And that's all for today.
Share your answers in the comments.
Don't forget to explore previous editions if you want even more inspiration.
Have a great week, and see you in the next one.
Pawel Halicki
PS. If you’re enjoying Practical Futures, will you take 5 seconds to forward this story to inspire a fellow leader?
It helps us to grow the community and may one day empower more strategic thinkers to lead in the age of AI.