Published in 1983, this book is a landmark in Proactive Thinking and the first to be published on the subject. It provides a framework for setting and validating objectives, exploring several options before formulating a strategy, allocating responsibility and managing risk, perceptions and conflict. The book does not promote the Proactive option as a panacea, as many enterprising consultants have done since its publication. The Proactive option is treated merely as a choice, among many, that should be considered in formulating strategy. The chapter about scanning and intelligence is now the subject of a new book available from Amazon and titled Harnessing the Power of Intelligence, Counterintelligence and Suprise Events.
Alain Paul Martin coaches executives and intelligence analysts and teaches strategy, risk management, negotiation and leadership. His experience includes the turnaround of a national financial institution and the management of projects ranging from airport security, and e-business strategy for a multi-billion dollar client, to the evaluation of TV coverage of major news events at the CBC. He has advised the Director General of UNESCO on restructuring and renewal, and has served as executive member of the non-partisan Committee of The Prime Minister of Canada on Government Reform. His presentation titled "Building a Great Nation and Governing in a World of Surprise Events" was attended by the Prime Minister of Canada, Cabinet ministers and legislators, among others.
Mr. Martin’s clients include Boeing, Boliden, Bombardier, EDC, GE, Cap-Gemini, GM, Hilton, MetLife, Procter & Gamble, Skanska Cement of Sweden, The Association for Science and Technology in China (CAST), the Swedish Employers Council, The Engineering Advancement Association of Japan, telecom companies, governments and NGOs.
An alumnus of Harvard Business School and a recipient of patents and innovation awards, Mr. Martin is the architect of HUMINT™ Contact, a human-intelligence software to map relationships between various players. He has invented the Harvard Business Planner and developed Harvard University Global System™ – a practical framework comprising management tools and road maps on human intelligence, issue analysis, strategy, risk and project management. He has also been recognized by the Project Management Institute (PMI) for "his outstanding contribution to the state-of-the-art of project management".
