TFI SPEAKER
JOHN H. VANSTON, Ph.D.
Chairman, Technology Futures, Inc.
Author of MINITRENDS: How Entrepreneurs & Innovators Discover & Profit From Business & Technology Trends
Focus Areas: Minitrends and Technology Forecasting and Management
Biography
Dr. John Vanston is an internationally-renowned consultant, educator, speaker, and author in the fields of trend analysis, technology forecasting, technology/market integration, and technology management in uncertain environments. Dr. Vanston's recenly completed the book MINITRENDS: How Entrepreneurs & Innovators Discover & Profit From Business & Technology Trends is based on his over thirty years’ experience in technology forecasting and trend analysis.
His presentations and workshops provide audiences with an understanding of the MINITRENDS concept, the technology development and trend analysis process, trains participants to conduct valid technology/market forecasts and trend analyses, and demonstrates how to utilize these forecasts and trend analyses to identify and evaluate emerging market needs and improve organizational planning.
Dr. Vanston founded Technology Futures, Inc. (TFI) in 1978, and served as its president for 14 years, building the Austin, Texas-based company into a leader in the technology forecasting, planning, and management fields. During his career at TFI, Dr. Vanston has conducted research, consulting, and education projects for a wide range of commercial, government, and academic organizations, including, among many others, Chevron Chemical, Kodak, Boeing, Nortel, National Security Agency, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, and the Texas State Technical College System. He is the primary architect of TFI's Five Views of the Future™ Strategic Framework and the Technology Advantage Management™ concept.
Dr. Vanston gives presentations and conducts workshops and seminars on technology forecasting, trend analysis, and innovation management all over the world to such groups as the World Future Society, the Industrial Research Institute, the Association of Strategic Planners, the University of Houston Futures Studies Program, and the Society of Association Executives. A respected writer, Dr. Vanston has also authored or coauthored several books in addition to MINITRENDS including among others Technology Forecasting: An Aid to Effective Technology Management; Introduction to Technology Market Forecasting; and Innovate! Straight Path to Quality, Customer Delight, and Competitive Advantage.
back to topSampling of Topics
back to topMinitrends: Winning Big by Thinking Small
This presentation provides individuals and companies of all sizes with approaches and techniques to assist them in achieving business success by taking advantage of emerging trends that are either not recognized or not appreciated by the general public and most businesses. Based on his recent book MINITRENDS: How Entrepreneurs & Innovators Discover & Profit From Business & Technology Trends and his thirty years’ experience in technology forecasting, trend assessment, and business management, Dr. Vanston describes how minitrends can be indentified and evaluated, analyzes several emerging minitrends, and shows how selected minitrends can be translated into successful business enterprises. The presentation is an excellent “how-to” for finding opportunities for taking advantage of emerging trends for people who are imaginative, energetic and dedicated.Seeing the True Future: Stop Living in the Past!
In this presentation, Dr. Vanston discusses how our projections of future developments can be significantly improved, and thus our professional and personal decisions relating to the future, if we are cognizant of solid starting points for our leap into the unknown. Many people live comfortably in the cozy den of the past, and are easily convinced that the present is actually the future. In the past, the consequences of this may have had little negative impact for most people and organizations. But in today’s fast-moving world, such behavior is a prescription for surprise, disappointment, and failure. Dr. Vanston gives examples of pitfalls and reviews current realities that are not appreciated by much of the public.Strategic Insights For Dramatic Business Success
In this presentation, Dr. Vanston examines how the combination of forecasting, foresight, and imagination can identify significant business opportunities that are not recognized or appreciated by others who have access to the same information. Over the last 30 years, TFI has developed or adapted more than sixty tools—techniques, methods and approaches—that can be used to develop strategic insight. Dr. Vanston discusses how these tools can be used, individually and in concert, to project future changes, to define the implications of these changes, and to spur imaginative thinking about the strategic opportunities afforded by these changes.The Five Views of the Future™
Dr. Vanston provides an overview of the philosophy and methods behind Technology Futures' Five Views of the Future™ Strategic Framework for planning and forecasting. This framework allows the consideration of both tangibles and intangibles, and has resulted in accurate forecasts by Technology Futures over 30 years in fields such as communications, information technology, and consumer electronics. Representative quantitative and qualitative tools are reviewed, with emphasis on practical understanding and practical examples, rather than on theory. Strategic and planning implications of forecasting models are also stressed.The Future as YOU See It
Psychiatrists tell us that to a large measure the way people lead their lives depends on how they view the future. Obviously, different people have different perceptions, different value systems, and different experiences that define their visions of the future. In this presentation, Dr. Vanston will discuss the various ways that people view the future, will assist you in examining your own views of the future, and will discuss the implications of these views to your life. Participants will leave the presentation with a better understanding how they can use the different ways of viewing the future to assist in taking fullest advantages of emerging trends and events.The Future as a Strategic Asset
Experience has shown that strategies based on credible projections of future market opportunities, social trends, the competitive environment, and new technologies are superior to those based on guesses, hunches, or vague suppositions. The ability to make sound projections in each of these areas can provide your organization with a major strategic advantage over less adept competitors. Dr. Vanston demonstrates in this presentation how you can use a mixture of practical, proven forecasting techniques to develop a valid, comprehensive picture of the business environment in which your strategy will be tested. By the end of this session, you will be able to:
- Project future business developments of key importance to your organization.
- Integrate these projections into your strategic planning process.
- Recognize changing circumstances and modify your strategies as appropriate.
Nuclear Genie Gnawing at Stopper
For more than six decades, the nuclear genie has been kept in the bottle. However, over the last few years there has been increasing indication that the genie is becoming restless and threatening to escape its confinement. In this presentation, Dr. Vanston discusses his experience in taking part in one of the last atmospheric nuclear weapons tests in which the participants were closer to ground zero than anyone since the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He then discusses the current nuclear weapons situation and actions and policies that might be considered to minimize the probability of nuclear catastrophe.
What Audiences Say
"Excellent presentation, well thought out and I hope highly motivating.”
—Minitrends Presentation, World Future Society
"On behalf of all of us, thank you for a wonderful evening last night in Los Angeles. The large and enthusiastic crowd was totally involved in your cogent and concise treatise. We appreciate your taking the time and effort to share your time and perspective.
—Technology Forecasting Presentation, Association for Strategic Planning
"Your presentation last week was outstanding! The time and effort involved in preparation, and your willingness to share so many valuable insights were greatly appreciated. On behalf of the program committee and everyone who was with us, I want to thank you for helping to make the meeting a tremendous success! We hope to have you with us again at a future meeting."
—Five Views of the Future™ Presentation, Industrial Research Institute, Inc.
back to the top"You have educated the members of this group about a subject we need to know more about and we are grateful for your time and expertise. A larger percent of Wednesday's audience came up to me and thanked me for getting you as the speaker than has occurred at any previous meeting."
—Nuclear Weapons Presentation, Foreign Service Group
Sampling of Presentations
John Vanston with Carrie Vanston presents series "MINITRENDS: Winning Big by Thinking Small."- University of Texas in Austin SAGE Group (Seminars for Adult Growth and Enrichment) (Fall Session, 2010).
John Vanston speaks on "Minitrends."- IEEE Central Texas Consultants Network (September 22, 2010).
John Vanston speaks on "Minitrends."- West Point Society in Austin, Texas (May 12, 2010).
John Vanston speaks on "Minitrends."- Northwest Austin Rotary Club in Austin, Texas (April 23, 2010).
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John Vanston speaks on "Minitrends."
- Joint Service Academy Network of Austin, Austin, TX, April 15, 2010
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John Vanston speaks on "Minitrends." - Bradley-Morris, Inc., April 11, 2010, Austin, TX
- John Vanston speaks on "Minitrends".
- Austin University Area Rotary Club in Austin, Texas (March 15, 2010).
John Vanston speaks on "Minitrends."- World Future Society in Austin, Texas (February 16, 2010).
John Vanston speaks on "Minitrends."- Web Analytics Wednesday in Austin, Texas (February 10, 2010).
John Vanston speaks on "Minitrends: Winning Big by Thinking Small"
- "Fifth Annual TFI Asset Valuation Conference" in Austin, Texas, January 15, 2010..
- John Vanston speaks on "Minitrends".
- North Austin Rotary Club in Austin, TX January 4, 2010
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- John Vanston presents "Overview of Technology Forecasting."
- Technology Forecasting for Depreciation and Valuation Seminar in Austin, Texas (January 13, 2009).
- John Vanston speaks on "Nuclear Genie Gnawing at Stopper."
- Foreign Service Group in Austin, Texas (April 30, 2008).
- John Vanston presents "Five Views of the Future™," "Pattern Analyst Techniques," and "Counter Puncher Techniques."
- Technology Forecasting Mini-Seminar™ in Austin, Texas (February 6, 2008).
- John Vanston speaks on "Nuclear Weapons Experiences."
- Central Texas West Point Society in Austin, Texas (December 5, 2007).
- John Vanston presents "Five Views of the Future™," "Pattern Analyst Techniques," and "Counter Puncher Techniques."
- Technology Forecasting Mini-Seminar™ in Austin, Texas (February 5, 2007).
- John Vanston is Panel Chair for "Superpower Panel: Where Do Great Ideas Come From?" and speaks on "The Five Views of the Future™."
- Emerging Technologies, New Product Development and Marketing Innovations 2006, sponsored by Frost & Sullivan in San Diego, California (June 19, 2006).
- John Vanston conducts one-day executive symposium on "Technical Intelligence for Smarter Decision Making."
- Medical Industry 2006 sponsored by Frost & Sullivan in San Francisco, California (March 16, 2006).
- John Vanston presents "Five Views of the Future™," "Pattern Analyst Techniques," and "Counter Puncher Techniques."
- Technology Forecasting Mini-Seminar™ in Austin , Texas (February 6, 2006 ).
- John Vanston speaks on "The Role of Biotechnology in New Curricula Development."
- Steering Committee of the Texas State Leadership Consortium for Curricula Development in Austin, Texas (September 13, 2005).
- John Vanston presents "Five Views of the Future™," "Nominal Group Analysis," "Scenarios," and "Technology Trends."
- Product and Technology Roadmapping: Linking Market, Products and Technology in conjunction with The Management Roundtable in Chicago , Illinois (August 8-9, 2005).
- John Vanston speaks on "Biotechnology: The Role of Community and Technical Colleges."
- Texas Leadership Consortium for Curriculum Development in Austin, Texas (August 3, 2005).
- John Vanston presents results of TFI authored reports on Nanotechnology, Fuel Cells, and Homeland Security.
- Seamless Transition Conference in Dallas, Texas (March 9, 2004). Participants include 2-year college deans and other educational leaders.
- John Vanston speaks on "The Future as YOU See It."
- Austin Chapter of the World Future Society in Austin, Texas (June 16, 2005).
- John Vanston speaks on "The Future & Its Impact On Small Cities."
- Tyler Economic Development Council in Tyler, Texas (June 17, 2004).
- John Vanston presents insights on and results of TFI/TSTC's Programs for Emerging Technologies (PET).
- Annual Conference of the National Institute for Staff & Organizational Development (NISOD) in Austin, Texas (May 25, 2004).
- John Vanston gives presentation reviewing recent studies by TFI in Homeland Security Technologies.
- Homestarrs Society in Dallas, Texas (February 20, 2004). Studies include a technology forecast in the area conducted by TFI for the Texas State Technical College System. Contact info@tfi.com for more information.
- John Vanston presents award and reads winner's paper at the Writing Austin's Lives Awards Ceremony.
- Sponsored by The University of Texas Humanities Institute in Austin, Texas (November 16, 2003).
- John Vanston speaks about founding TFI and the importance of its top-notch employees to its success.
- TFI's 25th Anniversary Celebration in Austin, Texas (July 23, 2003).
- John Vanston speaks on “Five Views of the Future™,” TFI's strategic analysis framework.
- Creating Business Growth-Implementing the Plan Conference sponsored by the Industrial Research Institute (IRI) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (May 18-21, 2003)
- John Vanston speaks on “Nanotechnology: A Technology Forecast.”
- Nanotechnology Colloquium sponsored by Winstad Sechrest & Minick Law Firm in Austin, Texas and video-conferenced to several Texas cities. (April 28, 2003)
- John Vanston speaks on “The Five Views of the Future,” TFI's strategic analysis framework.
- Futures Studies Group at the University of Houston at Clearlake in Clearlake, Texas. (October 14, 2002)
- John Vanston speaks on “The Role of Technology Forecasting in New Curricula Development.”
- Steering Committee of the Texas State Leadership Consortium for Curricula Development in Dallas, Texas. (July 23, 2002)
- John Vanston speaks on “The Future as a Strategic Asset.”
- Association of Strategic Planners in Los Angeles, California. (July 9, 2002)
- John Vanston is seminar director and presenter for TFI's Forecasting and Planning Technology Seminar
- The Role of Technology in Today’s Business Environment," "An Overview of Technology/Market Forecasting," "Projecting the Rate of New Technology Adoption," "Planning and Conducting a Technology/Market Forecast," and "Gaining Commitment to the Plan."
- Forecasting and Planning Technology Seminar in Arlington, Virginia ( June 18-20, 2001).
- John Vanston is Seminar Director and presents several sessions at TFI's two-day seminar entitled Forecasting and Planning Technology™.
- Executive MBA Program, Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. (June 1-2, 2001)
- John Vanston is seminar director and presenter at TFI's Forecasting and Planning Technology
- The Role of Technology in Today’s Business Environment," "An Overview of Technology/Market Forecasting Methods and Techniques," "Identifying Emerging Market Opportunities," "Projecting the Rate of New Technology Adoption," "Planning & Conducting a Technology/Market Forecasts," and "Gaining Commitment to the Plan."
- Forecasting and Planning Technology Seminar in Austin, Texas (March 5-9, 2001).
- John Vanston is seminar director and presenter for TFI's Forecasting and Planning Technology Seminar
- "The Role of Technology in Today’s Business Environment," "An Overview of Technoloogy/Market Forecasting Methods and Techniques," "Identifying Emerging Market Opportunities," "Practical Application of Previously Presented Material," "Projecting the Rate of New Technology Adoption," "Planning & Conducting a Technology/Market Forecast," and "Gaining Commitment to the Plan."
- Forecasting and Planning Technology Seminar in Austin, Texas (November 13-15, 2000).
- John Vanston develops and presents “Technology Forecasting, Planning, and Management” segment.
- Masters of Technology Commercialization Program at IC2 Institute, The University of Texas at Austin in Austin, Texas. (Summer 2000)
- John Vanston is Seminar Director and presents several sessions at TFI's three-day in-house seminar entitled Technology Forecasting, Planning, and Management Workshop.
- National Imagery and Mapping Agency in St. Louis, Missouri. (September 25-27, 2000)
- John Vanston speaks on "Enhancing Communications Between Technologies and Business Managers."
- World Future Society Annual Conference, FutureFocus 2000: Changes, Challenges & Choices in Houston, Texas. (July 23-25, 2000)
- John Vanston is seminar director and presenter for TFI's Forecasting and Planning Technology Seminar.
- The Role of Technology in Today’s Business Environment," "An Overview of Technoloogy/Market Forecasting Methods and Techniques," "Identifying Emerging Market Opportunities," "Practical Application of Previously Presented Material," "Projecting the Rate of New Technology Adoption," "Planning & Conducting a Technology/Market Forecast," and "Gaining Commitment to the Plan."
- Forecasting and Planning Technology Seminar in Austin, Texas (May 8-10, 2000).
- John Vanston is seminar director and presenter for TFI's Forecasting and Planning Technology Seminar.
- "Principles of Technology Forecasting, Planning & Management," "Identifying Emerging Market Opportunities," "Projecting the Rate of Market Takeover: Simple Substitution Analysis," "Adding Flexibility to the Plan," "Practical Applications of FPMT Techniques in Your Organization," "Projecting Breakthrough Innovations" and "Gaining Acceptance of the Plan."
- Forecasting, Planning, and Managing Technology Seminar
in Redondo Beach, California (January 24-26, 2000).
2010
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Speaker Contact
For more information on Dr. Vanston's speaking services, please contact Carrie Vanston at (800) TEK-FUTR, (512) 258-8898, cvanston@tfi.com, or fill out contact TFI. We appreciate your interest and welcome your inquiries.
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MINITRENDS: How Entrepreneurs & Innovators Discover & Profit From Business & Technology Trends
By John H. Vanston, Ph.D. with Carrie Vanston
PRE-ORDER NOW!
University of Texas in Austin SAGE Group Fall Session, 2010
IEEE Central Texas Consultants NetworkAustin, TX
September 22, 2010
West Point SocietyAustin, TX
May 12, 2010
Northwest Austin Rotary
Austin, TX
April 23, 2010
Joint Service Academy Network of Austin
Austin, TX
April 15, 2010
Bradley-Morris, Inc.
Austin, TX
April 11, 2010
Austin University Area Rotary Club
Austin, TX
March 15, 2010
World Future Society
Austin, TX
February 16, 2010
Web Analytics Wednesday
Austin, TX
February 10, 2010
TFI Asset Valuation Conference
Austin, TX
January 15, 2010
North Austin Rotary Club
Austin, TX
January 4, 2010