2. Build a budget that allows for surprises

Your explorers are unpredictable! If you put them in the right frame of mind, they'll be able to deliver the best of themselves and enjoy the many surprises their journey has in store for them. Within the budget envelope provided, their speed of progress can vary enormously from one team to the next, or from one moment to the next. Some will spend at a slow pace, while others may take advantage of favourable circumstances to move ahead more quickly. And some may even bring you very interesting opportunities, so promising that the company will want to support them with budget increases. But generally speaking, no operationally-oriented entity will have the means to finance an acceleration during the course of the year. So you'll need to be prepared to support them if need be.

To do this, at the beginning of the period, set aside a good part of your budget, say a...