More of the same won’t do

More of the same won’t do in a fast-changing world

If you want to continue to grow, what got you to where you are today isn’t all you need to get to the next level.

Whether we look at individual or whole of business success, even those that are considered leaders need to embrace change.  Without change, things don’t just stay the same, they ultimately will stagnate and die … think Kodak!

If you do not create change, change will create you

History has many examples of businesses that have been restless for change, and those that have not.

Nintendo
The history of Nintendo began long before the Japanese gaming company released its monstrously popular Nintendo Entertainment System console in 1985. Nintendo Koppai was founded all the way back in 1889 as a playing card company. Anxious about the limited market for playing cards, Nintendo tested other products and services, including a taxi company, instant rice, hotels and toys. Taking an interest in video game popularity, Nintendo eventually won the rights to distribute the Magnavox Odyssey in Japan, the world’s first home video game console. In 1977, Nintendo released its first game console, the TV-Game 6, offering six versions of the same tennis game. Nintendo is now worth $85B!

General Motors
After being one of the biggest car manufacturers for more than 100 years, and one of the largest companies in the world, GM also resulted in one of history’s largest bankruptcies. Focused predominantly on profiting from finance, the business neglected to improve the quality of its product, failed to adapt to changes in customer needs and did not invest in new technologies.

Taxi Industry
If we need an example closer to home, look at the Taxi Industry that failed to change or and is now struggling as a result of a tech-savvy competitor that is cheaper and arguably provides a better service.

How to avoid your “Kodak Moment”

For individual or career growth, it is quite possible to middle management through subject matter expertise and skills. To get to Senior Exec level needs a range of additional skills – for example:

• Commercial and financial acumen
• Understanding and management of the political landscape
• Leadership skills over management
• Coaching overtraining
• Strategic thinking and planning

Similarly, businesses in a start-up can grow to a certain size with sheer grit and hard work. To take the next step, will require a range of new skills and expertise, and likely a different range of resources, for example:

• A Board or Advisory Board to help develop strategy, identify & manage risk
• HR policies, processes, skills and resources
• Analytical and reporting skills and systems

If you want to grow, there needs to a constant and ongoing restlessness, together with a planned strategy and investment in personal and business development.

Get in touch to start this journey