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Chris Fox clip from the upcoming Long-Term Strategy Conference 2024

Name: Chris Fox clip from the upcoming Long-Term Strategy Conference 2024
Uploaded: 2024-06-15T19:34:16+00:00
Duration: 1 min 42 s
Channel: Francis Wade
Description: In a brief dialogue at the Long‑Term Strategy Conference 2024, Chris Fox (Speaker A) argues that genuine long‑term planning should focus on the immediate…

15 Jun 2024 · 2 min

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1:42

In a brief dialogue at the Long‑Term Strategy Conference 2024, Chris Fox (Speaker A) argues that genuine long‑term planning should focus on the immediate next action rather than distant milestones such as net‑zero targets for 2030 or 2050. He expresses frustration with organizations and governments that publish ambitious climate plans but show little concrete progress in the short term, warning that such behavior merely postpones accountability and may lead to ever‑later goal dates. Fox introduces the concept of the "Next Best Action" (NBA) as a practical framework: instead of setting far‑future targets, decision‑makers should identify and execute the most impactful step they can take today, thereby building real momentum toward long‑term change. Speaker B acknowledges the point and helps clarify the NBA terminology.

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And that kind of led me to a realization about long-term planning. Long-term planning, or the execution of long-term planning, is about the next action you take. It's not about the action you take in 15 or 20 years' time. 15 or 20
years, right.
It's about the next action. Yeah.
Right. We also chatted a bit about climate change and the promises to get to net zero 2050. And yeah, that, that, that— well, say some more about why you think that's a good analogy for what you're talking about.
I just get so tired of reading people's great plans for, you know, net zero 2050 or 2030, right? Because I've read so many of them. And now when I read one, I say, I'm not interested in what you're going to achieve. By 2050. Tell me what you did yesterday and what you're going to do today. Because it feels— with not all organizations, don't get me wrong, I know, I know a lot of organizations are really trying to do the right thing— but it feels like so many organizations, governments included, are setting these great plans, telling us it's all going to be okay. Um, but when you look at what they're doing yesterday, today, and tomorrow, there's just so little evidence of change. And so you can imagine in 2030, they'll be saying it's too late to hit the 2050 goals, but don't worry, we're going to set some 2060 goals and do nothing for another 10 years. And that's really frustrating. I mean,
that's—
you might as well not long-term plan if that's what you're then going to do.
Right, right, right. If you're going to maintain that habit pattern, because I guess what you're suggesting with a focus on next best action or NBA, right? NBA.
Yes. Next best action.