DRS insights: Watching the dominos fall

Similarities between the effects of the Ukraine War and the global financial crisis

In the 1970s, the Yum Kippur War and subsequent oil crisis caused energy prices to skyrocket throughout the world. With them, inflation and interest rates went up, ultimately resulting in a housing crisis and recession. In the 2000s, a similar pattern of events occurred: the Iraq War drove op energy prices, and the resulting inflation was one of the main drivers of the global financial crisis. Today, as the Russo-Ukrainian War is causing rampant inflation, the same domino tiles seem to be falling once again.

Both the 1973 oil crisis and the 2007/2008 global financial crisis were foreseen as scenarios, by Shell and Rabobank respectively. As a result, these organizations were able to thrive when others faltered. In this DRS Insights working paper, Paul de Ruijter and Friso van Nimwegen discuss the similarities and key differences between today’s and yesterday’s crises, and conclude that history does not need to repeat itself; alternative outcomes are still possible

Read the paper here:

“Bad scenario’s don’t exist, only bad preperation.”

Paul de Ruijter

“By using language and visuals, we can create the future today.”

Jolanda van Heijningen

“The future cannot be forecasted, but it can be foreseen.”

Renate Kenter

“History shows us how unpredictable the future can be.”

Friso van Nimwegen

“The complexity of the future requires multidimensional thinking, anticipating and acting.”

Sharda Tewari

“Being well prepared is better than hoping that things will work out.”

Reinier Hattink

“Conducting research about the future is the greatest thing there is.”

Femke Pennink

“Without having a clear strategic goal, you are the puppet of circumstances.”

Kwint Kramer

“To be able to think about the future, you need to have the figures in order.”

Jannie Pruimers-Lanenga

“Discovering connections between data and trends remains fascinating.”

Iris Lijkendijk

“”One cannot drive with just the rearview mirror; look ahead and overtake! That’s the essence of scenario planning.””

Aryzo Arrindell