Staying the same won’t support survival

Kodak thought they had a ‘cash cow’ and therefore had little or no incentive to change or transform their business model. It appears as though they did not foresee or understand (or maybe they chose to ignore) the changes within their own industry.

Other examples of missed opportunities:

• Automakers (Ford, GM) – slow to move from gas guzzlers to fuel efficient vehicles despite rising gas prices and consumers wanting to reduce their carbon footprint
• Budget retailers (Sears, Kmart) – consumers want low prices, but don’t want to feel like they are shopping in low-end stores

Success stories:

• IBM: from computer hardware to consulting
• Apple: from desk top computers to hand-held mobility
• McDonalds: from unhealthy junk food to offering salads and fruit

What are you doing to support your organization’s survival??

*Contributor – Karen McIsaac, Managing Director

To read the Harvard Business Review blog about Kodak’s transformation, click here.

Click here for the PDF version

Looking Into the Crystal Ball for 2012

Moving into a New Year infers ‘change’ and not just the calendar year.

So let’s look at our businesses through a new lens.

• Why do the ‘same old’ all over again?  We all know what this leads to; have we looked at updating our business models?  They may have worked well in the past but perhaps not in the future.  What about new products, new services?  Everyone’s pain points are not the same as in the past.  Understand and leverage your client’s pain points to help them and your business.

• Think Positive – everyone wants to focus on ‘the recession’ via our media outlets.  One thing the recession has accomplished is the retention of cash by many companies.  Find ways to get companies to want to spend that cash with you! Again, understand your client’s pain points.
• Get your brand out there when everyone else is cutting marketing.  No one knows to call you unless you are a ‘recognized’ solution provider.  Change your messaging, change your logo, change your brand – make yourself noticed and be the new ‘news’.

Year after year, change is not an event, it is continual.

*Contributor – Karen McIsaac, Managing Director

Click here for the PDF version