Henry Coutinho-Mason is a renowned author and ‘reluctant futurist’, celebrated for his books The Future Normal and Trend-Driven Innovation, and recognised as an award-winning social entrepreneur by Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas and was listed among GQ’s Most Connected Men.

Henry’s work has a future-facing outlook, exploring topics such as AI, retail, and the travel sector, with his approach focused on bridging the gap between future forecasting and immediate impact. His new book highlights the importance of asking the right questions rather than seeking definitive answers, advocating for a proactive stance in shaping the future.

We chatted with Henry at Canvas8’s breakfast briefing, where he shared his insights on applying future thinking within organisations to impact the bottom line.

Breakfast Briefings are Canvas8’s highly coveted roundtables – a chance for members to listen to thought leaders, innovators and cultural leaders in an intimate setting, followed by an exclusive Q&A.

For those who couldn’t attend, Christopher Lewis, Global Partner Manager at Canvas8, has shared a few key takeaways from Henry's talk, providing valuable insights for brands, businesses, and creative thinkers.

🔮 Embrace the power of foresight
When different perspectives from across organisations come together, it's easier to tackle uncertainties and spot opportunities. By making foresight a team effort and a business focus, brands and businesses can harness the collective wisdom of their employees while fostering a culture of innovation and readiness that propels businesses forward, drives growth, and achieves objectives.

💡 Adopt a strong point of view
Instead of merely predicting the future, organisations can actively participate in shaping it through a unique point of view. By continually asking questions, challenging the status quo, exploring new possibilities, and refining their goals, having a strong POV can guide decision-making and give brands a competitive edge.

📊 Be reactive to trends
By adapting to current trends, businesses can solve immediate challenges while laying the groundwork for future success. The key to success is understanding what’s happening, why it’s happening, and then contextualising it so it’s relevant to individual business needs - and, of course, differentiating a trend that has a lasting impact from a fad.