The vision thing at the BBC: Director‐General looks to the periphery for the “next big thing”

Abstract

Purpose

Suggests how organizations can develop the ability to detect, interpret and act on important but weak signals of fresh threats and new opportunities that emerge on the periphery of their usual business environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Offers a programme that organizations can put into place to become more vigilant. Explains the role of leaders in improving the peripheral vision of an organization.

Findings

Shows how the BBC uses peripheral‐vision programmes to improve its understanding of the changing environment.

Practical implications

Stresses that peripheral vision is more about anticipation than prediction.

Originality/value

Presents lessons that can help leaders to implement a programme of monitoring, evaluating and responding to important events on the periphery of their normal business environment.

Citation

(2007), "The vision thing at the BBC: Director‐General looks to the periphery for the “next big thing”", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 15 No. 6, pp. 7-9. https://doi.org/10.1108/09670730710830027