Sharpen your tools or let them rust
In business, there is no third option
"We’re #1. So, why change?"
No matter the amount of former world-dominating, now bankrupt, companies that fall on the scrap heap, this is a mindset that has been the downfall of many a business.
Let’s take Nokia as an example. In 2007, it was the market leader in the global mobile phone industry. In 2013, it had been completely overshadowed by the likes of Apple and Samsung and, eventually, it was sold to Microsoft. Without a long-term vision by its management, and a workforce that didn’t have the required skills to keep up with its competitors, Nokia was left behind.
It’s a classic case of "resting on your laurels". In business, if we are not evolving, we are standing still. By doing things as we always have, what we’re really doing is handing our competitors the advantage. There is always someone out there that can do what you’re doing better, faster and more effectively, once you have decided change is no longer necessary.
Staying Rust-free
The key to counteracting this pitfall, as a business owner, is promoting upskilling from the rooftop!
Upskilling: An employee learning additional skills to be better equipped to do their job.
Being proactive here is essential. When you have found out that your workforce's skillset no longer matches your market demands, it's already too late.
Having your team take a step back from just 'producing work', and encouraging them to review their systems and tools regularly, will give much more long-lasting and sustainable benefits to the company. To allow it to become part of the business culture, it needs to be encouraged, rewarded and shared. One person finding out a new system will benefit that one person. When it’s shared, it will benefit the whole company.
Encouragement = Success
Over time, as people are being actively encouraged to upskill, and set aside parts of the workday to do nothing else, the process can become almost innate.
Is this the best software for this particular task?
Have I reviewed Newsletter trends lately, or am I still going off what I learned in 2015?
I’m going to watch a 15-minute video on YouTube about the latest advice on cold calling potential customers.
It’s a mind shift that is essential for company growth. And, it not only makes for a more satisfied, confident workforce it, in turn, leads to happier clients and happier customers!
