Realities

Realities are the fundamental truths that shape how the world, communities and people actually operates. A reality could be the rule of thumb that the speed limit is 72 mph rather than the law of 65 stated on the sign. A reality could be a perception that most people do not like telemarketer calls. People, organizations and communities may have defined beliefs, processes or bylaws to operate, realities are how they actually operate.

Almost every idea, business, product, service or concept that has ever been conceived, has been done without knowing the realities we now know today. The understanding of former, established, new and emerging realities may have significant impact on the success of an eDream. The understanding of realities was a key component in helping Reed Hastings develop his big idea which in now Netflix. The major categories of realities include:

• Leadership - who are the decision makers or major influencers of change
• Science - understanding of the physical world, research and studies
• Culture, Customs & Traditions - what shapes how we decide, interact and operate today
• Perceptions - understanding of the world, communities and people that shape our actions
• Rules - laws, contracts, agreements or other agreed upon terms
• Operating Models - how things really work based on defined laws, rules and practices across marketplaces, industries, governments, global commerce
• Technology - available technology and innovations
• Physical Environment - transportation infrastructure, internet, natural environment, House or Building
• Resources - money, water, oil, diamonds, etc.
• Social Trust - The trust factor of an organization (company, government, non-profit) and individuals
• Personal - an individual’s own realities (i.e., marriage/divorce, job status, etc.)

Realities are enablement components that could impact making an eDream successfully happen.

Former Realities

Former Realities are realities that are no longer in place, yet may help explain established, new and emerging realities. What happened in the past shapes how things operate today. The reason a reality exists may be because it was addressing a former reality.

Established Realities

Established Realities are realities that have been establish for a period of time (likely 3 or more years). It would be understood by most (likely over 75%) of the people expected to be familiar with the established realities. They would understand what is really the case or how something actually operates.

New Realities

New Realities are realities that have recently been established (likely less than 3 years). It would be understood by many (likely over 25%) of the people expected to be aware of the new realities. The split would be a result of some people either not recognizing, accepting, understanding and/or experiencing the new reality.

Emerging Realities

Emerging Realities are realities that have yet to be established or may not ever become established (likely within the next two years). They would likely be recognized and fully understood by a small number of people (likely under 25%). Emerging Realities are still formulating and their potential impact is unknown. The forces of emerging reality that drive them to become new realities are:

• Game Changing Event (new History) - which can impact existing, new, emerging and future realities
• Compelling Story (new History) - which can change how we think of existing, new, emerging and future realities
• New Leadership - new election, new leader, new decision makers
• New Science - compelling new science, research or study
• New Culture, Customs & Traditions - such as black Friday and cyber Monday for shopping
• New Perceptions by people
• New Rules - rules, laws or standards that could propel the emerging reality
• New Technology
• New Physical Environment
• New Resources - new money, new discovery of oil
• New Personal - while an individual persons new realities may not effect others, it can have a major impact on the person (i.e., loss of family member)

Future Realities

Future Realities are realities that may happen on a widespread basis, limited basis or may not ever happen (likely 2 years or more years away). There are few people (as few as one person) working on making these potential realities happen. The few people engaged in developing these potential realities are driven by:

• Mission - driven to find a cure for cancer,
• Key Insight - driven by a technical, science or perception insight such as Reed Hasting's belief that people are willing to try new video rental service or what is now now Netflix
• Contrarian insight - a contrarian
• Combinatorial insight - combining the generally available information on the internet, mobile phones and cloud computing to produce a new solution or reality