Choosing Service or Customer Slavery!
03/10/03
Andy Grove has a way of making the great game of business a little more like war: "Were the manufacturers of printing presses forced to protect monks? Was the PC industry forced to protect the mainframe computer industry? Why is this case different? We spent a decade talking convergence, and now that convergence is about to happen the content industry says, 'Oh, not so fast' and 'Not this way and not that way.' I think they are deadly afraid of (convergence), deadly afraid of what it is going to do to their business. ... These are the same people who fought tooth and nail to kill the VCR and today get more than 50% of their revenues from video rentals. ... It's going to happen sooner or later. If it happens later, you will have corrupted your consumers and you are going to antagonize your consumers. So do you want to do it when your customers are still with you, or when they have abandoned you?"
Where are you fighting changes that are going to win whether you fight them or not? How could you use the forces of change to protect your market share and serve those who you now are trying to keep slaves to your existing products and services? Being dragged along by a horde of clients racing to the future is dangerous to your corporate health. How can you race to the front of the hordes and participate in the success of getting them what they so passionately want and need? The best companies are never trapped by the market share successes of the past. They know that what is on top today is destined to be discarded as new solutions emerge. Rather than waiting until they become a victim to changes created by competitors, they invest some of the rewards from their successes to invent the future their customers will soon need. Where are you keeping those you serve slaves to the past? Get busy leading them to destinations that will serve them and you.
A PAULSON QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"It's easy to be happy and hopeful when things are going well. America has had it so good; we forget what it is like to have to pursue our dreams and handle sustained frustration. The Great Depression shaped the attitudes of a whole generation, and it made them stronger and optimistic. This generation is facing its first major challenge in decades. I think we will be the better for the struggles we are now facing." --Terry L. Paulson, PhD, CSP, CPAE
MONDAY'S MIRTHFUL MOMENT
Loren Ekroth (www.conversation-matters.com)provides this week's mirth--Tee-shirt in-your-face humor for mirth and merriment, Enjoy!
Frankly, Scallop, I don't give a Clam. (seen on Cape Cod)
I have a degree in Liberal Arts - Do you want fries with that?
Poor spellers of the world -UNTIE!
HAM AND EGGS - A day's work for a chicken; A lifetime commitment for a pig.
My wild oats have turned to shredded wheat.
When you keep your eyes open for mirth, you just may find it! Hope this kicks off your morning and helps get your mood adjusted for the week. Now, get busy MAKING CHANGE WORK and have some fun along the way!...