Stop Reacting, Start Anticipating: The Power of Foresight with Athena Peppes

Behind the SME with Athena Peppes, Futurist and Economist, Advisor at BossUp.AI and Director of Futures at Beacon Thought Leadership

What if you could see disruption coming and turn it into opportunity?

In this episode of Behind the SME, host Adam Kene, speaks with Athena Peppes — futurist, economist, and former Accenture strategist — about how small and medium-sized businesses can use foresight to anticipate change, build resilience, and stay ahead in a world of constant disruption.

They break down practical ways to “look to the horizon” without losing sight of today’s priorities, from horizon-scanning and team signal alerts to scenario planning and AI readiness.

💡 Highlights include:

What “foresight” really means and how to apply it inside an SMEHow to run horizon-scanning sessions with your teamTurning future risks into opportunitiesBuilding AI literacy and avoiding common leadership blind spotsWhy continuous learning (not prediction) is the real competitive edge

If you’re a founder, leader, or strategist who’s too busy fighting fires to think long-term, this one’s for you.

🎙️ Behind the SME is hosted by Adam Kene, CEO of Kene, exploring the real stories, insights, and lessons from the entrepreneurs and leaders powering the UK’s SME economy.

Like what you hear? We'd love to know!

📩 Contact us: hello@behindthesme.co.uk

🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme

🌐 Find us on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme