Featured Speaker David Furlonger, Gartner Industry Analyst, delivers a high-powered first installment on the topic of behavioral risk. What is it? What are its manifestations within your business? How can you use it to your advantage?

Joel A. Barker, "The Paradigm Man," independent scholar and futurist, outlines his revolutionary process for thinking through the implications of your business decisions and how you can plan better for the future.

Bios:

David Furlonger, Gartner Industry Analyst
Currently the Managing Vice President at Cobble Hill Canada, Furlonger’s distinguished career spans three years as Founder and Director of Peridot International Enterprises, seven years as Manager of Proprietary Trading at Baring Brothers & Co., and four years at Engelhard Inc. as Deputy European Corporate Treasurer.

Furlonger’s passion for the areas of risk, regulatory compliance and investment services is reflected in his writing, speaking and consulting work. His experience covers seven years at Gartner and nine years in the IT industry. He recently co-authored several articles on topics in the financial services industry, including: “Subcustodians Must tackle Disappearing Business,” June, 2006, "Expect Integration Issues to Challenge NYSE/Euronext Merger,” June, 2006, “Survey of Investment Services Firms Identifies Common Themes,” May, 2006, and “Basel II Projects Lose Value Because They Lack Adequate Support”, May, 2006.

Furlonger’s industry affiliations encompass a wide variety of distinguished organizations, including the Freeman City of London, a General Registered Representative, member of the Society of Technical Analysts, member of the International Foreign Exchange Association and member of Securities and Futures. He holds degrees in business studies, corporate finance and accounting from the City of London University and the London Business School.

"In the words of Richard Feynman: 'I'm an explorer, OK? I like to find out!' This job affords me the unparalleled capability to discover new ideas and reframe them in a way that helps our clients gain a new perspective on the challenges and opportunities they face in the financial services industry. When they put those ideas into practice, it is 'the icing on the cake.' " Back to top

Joel Barker was the first person to popularize the concept of paradigm shifts for the corporate world. He began his work in 1975 after spending a year on fellowship, meeting and working with visionary thinkers in North America and Europe.

He discovered that the concept of paradigms, which at that time was limited to scientific discussion, could explain revolutionary change in all areas of human endeavor. By 1985, he had built the case, and corporations and nations were seeking his advice.

In 1980, in addition to his work on paradigms, Barker began to focus on a second crucial component for organizations and individuals: the importance of vision.

In 1986, he released his first videotape, Discovering the Future: The Business of Paradigms. By 1988, it was the best-selling business video in history. In 2001, he updated this film to include contemporary examples and a shortened version. It has been translated into 16 languages and continues to influence people all over the world.

In 1990, Barker released his second video, The Power of Vision. This became his second best-seller and has also been translated into more than a dozen languages.

His book on paradigms, Future Edge, published in 1992, was listed as one of the most influential business books of that year by the prestigious Library Journal. It has been used for more than a decade.

Barker has worked with organizations, both for profit and not for profit, throughout the world as well as with nations, including Singapore, Venezuela, Canada, Mexico and Peru.

His honors include an honorary doctorate in visionary leadership from St. Mary's University and the Excellence in Education Award from the international education association, Pi Lambda Theta, for his part in supporting educational innovation.

Formerly Director of the Futures Studies Department of the Science Museum of Minnesota from 1974 to 1978, Barker has spoken to more than 1 million people around the world, and his films have been seen by more than 250 million people around the world. Back to top