Our world is constantly changing and we all need to adapt with it if we want to survive and remain relevant! There has never been a more pertinent time for that statement, in the middle of a pandemic with millions out of work and companies wondering about their future!
“Control your own destiny or someone else will.” Jack Welch
If you are a salesperson, what are you doing differently to ensure that meet your targets next year? You can be sure that someone out there wants to eat your lunch, how are you going to combat that? How are you going to take market share from your competitors? Are you taking advantage of these times to connect with your clients often, to bring them value, to let them know you are there for them? If you are not … someone else most likely is!
If you are a business owner or a leader of any kind you need to be aware of your environment and adapt to the inevitable changes affecting you and your business. What are your competition doing? What will your clients be doing next month and the month after and six months from now?
We have all seen the disruptions in many industries caused by technology, apps and new ways of doing things. Amazon, Uber, AirBnB, PayPal are just a few high profile examples. Did you see what happened to companies that could not adapt? What will the impact of the pandemic be on your industry? Are you planning based on yesterday’s way of doing things or anticipating where things are going?
We have massive unemployment right now … but that won’t last once business comes back in earnest. Do you have the right people on your team? Could you upgrade while great people are available? What will the labor market look like six months from now? I’m betting the top talent will all be gone, and we will be back to skills shortages … maybe not labor shortages, but that will come too.
“Enterprises that do not adapt are in for a lot of trouble.” John McCallum
Here are 11 questions you might want to ask within your organization …
Do you understand what internal and external factors will affect your business?
Do you understand the risks AND opportunities?
Are you listening to your clients? Are you asking them good questions? Do you know how they will react?
If you are in management are you listening to your staff … because they are closer to the action? Are you arming them with the right questions to ask?
Do you have a game plan for next year? How is it different than previous years?
Are you active in your industry association? Do you know what your competitors are planning?
When did you last do a strategic plan?
When did you last look outside your own business?
When did you last do an extensive account planning exercise?
Are you executing on the planning that you have done?
Do you have the right people on your team, or could you benefit from “upgrading”?
If you can answer these questions well you are likely in a minority, and well positioned for the future. If you are doing the “same old, same old” then just maybe you should act now before it is too late!
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” Charles Darwin
