Hunt Where Ducks Fly!
08/11/04
Paul Barker, senior vice president of Hallmark's creative product development, keeps asking a very important question for today's change agents: "How can we shoot where the ducks fly?"
Strategic change involves positioning for opportunity. The successful stay ahead of the game. They spot a trend and beat the competition to a profitable product or service. Hallmark makes a business of finding new trends. They look for demographic changes. They look for nuance to inform them of impending societal changes: popular language, trends in behavior and changing attitudes. You may not be a futurist, but you and your team could benefit from taking time to learn from them. Encouraging curiosity and playing "What if...?" are all part of the game. Look for things that are unusual or unique on the periphery in your field or product/service focus. Over time, repetition often begins to suggest patterns and emerging trends. Just because something is happening, doesn't mean the trend will last, but it gives you a trend to watch. Most trends of importance have either social, economic or political implications. In short, when something is happening, you want to be there with a product or service that helps them make it happen. This trend sensitivity allowed Hallmark to establish its "Everyday Heroes" cards even before 9/11. Hallmark doesn't release sales figures, but there sure are a lot of heroes that deserve cards in today's world. They are there where the ducks are flying. Are you and your organization? Will you find where those ducks are flying a year from now? This week, start acting like a futurist hunting for ducks.
A PAULSON QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"When something is happening, you want to be there with a product or service that helps them make it happen." --Terry Paulson, Ph.D.
MONDAY'S MIRTHFUL MOMENT
This week's mirth comes from Dr. Loren Ekroth of www.conversation-matters.com fame. Here are EXCERPTS FROM REAL RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS. Enjoy...and cry:
My goal is to be a meteorologist. But since I possess no training in meteorology, I suppose I should try stock brokerage.
Note: Please don't misconstrue my 14 jobs as job-hopping.
I have never quit a job.Marital status: often. Children: various.
Reason for leaving last job: They insisted that all employees get to work by 8:45 a.m. every morning. Could not work under those conditions.
The company made me a scapegoat, just like my three previous employers.
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!...