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| "Do we need to change our direction?" |
Change happens all the time, and yet for some reason, we find it uncomfortable when we have to make a change.
Why is that?
For business owners and professionals, as well as those who work
for businesses or other organizations, awareness of the changes taking place around
us should cause us to ask, "What do we need to do?" However, I think we'd all agree that it would be much better to be pro-active in initiating a change in direction, than
to be reactive and forced into it.
In a Mentoring role earlier this year, I was very pleased to
meet Vini Costanzo, Director with ViniCostanzo Business Intelligence. Over the course of a weekend in Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), we had the opportunity to Mentor many of
those who participated in "CrashCourse
Jumpstart" - a business start-up event held at the Northern
Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). Vini shared from his
depth of expertise in marketing, social media and online business
solutions, while I enjoyed providing insights drawn from many years of
working with start-ups and those planning for the growth and success of
their businesses.
Vini touched on the importance of being flexible to change as it happens around you. As he points out in one of his online Instagram posts: "Sometimes, entrepreneurs get too excited about their products and forget about the customers. Remember, you are in the market to solve a problem for somebody. Be ready to adapt your products if it's necessary."
Thanks Vini. That fits nicely with being "proactive" and ready to "pivot" when necessary!
In the past, I've frequently quoted Rosabeth Moss Kanter from the Harvard Business School. She said: “Change
is disturbing when it is done to us, exhilarating when it is done by us.” Kanter
also said: “To stay ahead, always have your next idea waiting in the wings.”
I like both of these quotes because they speak to the importance of: 1) being on top of the change process; and 2) having a "game plan" that anticipates your next moves in the marketplace.
For small
business owners, a group that I’ve worked with extensively, the nice thing
about being "small" is that you are in a much better position to
quickly pivot. Of course, you’ll have your own sense of direction as to what to do, but it’s
reassuring to have a Mentor and other trusted Advisors with whom you can discuss a potential
danger or an emerging opportunity.
TIPS: Keep your eyes and ears open, work with
your team, listen to your customers and watch your competition. This will help
you recognize when a change is likely needed and better judge the timing with which
you'll want to execute that change!
At Pro-Vision Solutions Inc. we work with our clients to help them better plan their businesses for the future. We help them understand the risks and opportunities around them, so they can best position themselves for success in the marketplace. Please let us know if you'd like to further explore your situation and join those we've helped with "... a SMARTER
Business Start, Growth and Mentorship!"
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