From Blind Spots to Insights 2025

In this direction, some companies are moving to integrate more information and real-time data into their processes. The increasing use of analytics tools can help establish “corporate situation rooms” that support the monitoring and anticipation of relevant geopolitical developments. Innovative and high-quality data can inform the decision-making process and also foster outside-the-box thinking. As with its radar counterpart, geopolitical sonars are evidently context-specific. They should be developed with current and planned or likely lines of business and geographical footprint in mind. In this manner, the root causes of geopolitical dynamics can inform the classic international business decisions relating to “where to play” and “how to play.” Development of a geopolitical sonar will bring to the surface assumptions being made about how security considerations will reshape the commercial landscape in nations, regions and worldwide. Critical assumptions ought to be scrutinized. While it is unrealistic to expect to eliminate all sources of surprise, better grounded assumptions surely diminish rude awakenings. Although our interviewees put a lot of weight on geopolitical developments related to unfolding great power rivalry, economic and national security drivers of policy and the fallout from kinetic conflict, looking ahead it is conceivable that climate and weather-related factors – think water scarcity for example – become recognized drivers of geopolitics. A well-functioning geopolitical sonar should factor in these considerations when developing detailed insights to inform corporate decision-making. A geopolitical sonar that surfaces insights into drivers of events constitutes a more supportive, agile response. From Blind Spots to Insights: Enhancing Geopolitical Radar to Guide Global Business 19