---
title: "The 30-Year Vision brainstorm"
description: "How Masa ran strategy sessions for SoftBank's 30th anniversary."
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/gambling-man/the-30-year-vision-brainstorm/
updated: 2026-11-03
---

# The 30-Year Vision brainstorm

> How Masa ran strategy sessions for SoftBank's 30th anniversary.

Lionel Barber's framework, from Gambling Man, pp. 188 to 234.

Framework 6 of 8 from [Gambling Man](https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/gambling-man/index.md) by Lionel Barber. Category: Growth and strategy.

## The steps

1. **Start with the conclusion.** Fix the destination first and work backwards from it.
2. **Look further when lost.** If the picture is unclear, widen the time frame, and start bold 300 years ahead.
3. **Work backwards to 30 years.** Derive what the world will look like in 30 years from the 300 year picture.
4. **Ask four technology questions.** Ask what future chips look like, which applications they enable, how lifestyles change and what the competitive outlook is.
5. **Open it to the wider group.** Consult employees and canvass outsiders, including through Twitter.

## Where it comes from

From chapter: PART FOUR: THE EMPIRE BUILDER, pp. 188–234

## The animation

24 seconds, 4:5, no sound.

- MP4: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/gambling-man/the-30-year-vision-brainstorm.mp4
- MP4, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/gambling-man/the-30-year-vision-brainstorm-dark.mp4
- Still: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/gambling-man/the-30-year-vision-brainstorm.png
- Still, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/gambling-man/the-30-year-vision-brainstorm-dark.png