This post examines what's actually changed between those two time periods and what's stayed constant. It matters because understanding real change versus assumed change shapes better strategy. Organisations that accurately assess what's shifted can allocate resources and attention to what actually matters.

Foresight helps leaders distinguish genuine transformation from surface-level change. By examining patterns across three decades, you can identify which shifts are permanent and which are cycles. This clarity lets you prepare for what's likely to matter rather than chasing every new signal.

Getting major shifts wrong rarely stays isolated. Second and third-order consequences affect hiring, budget, partnerships, and how your organisation is perceived. Leaders who misread what's genuinely changed often invest in the wrong capabilities while missing the ones that matter.