Think You Got It? You're Dead!

Don't let arrogance and complacency bring your business down

© 2011 David Newman

Once you think you're at the point that it's time to write it down, build the manual, and document the formula, you're no longer exploring, questioning the status quo.
-- Lou Gerstner, former Chairman of IBM

This kind of thinking is what brought IBM back from the brink of extinction. In fact, Gerstner wrote a book in 2003 titled, Who Says Elephants Can't Dance?

At the same time that independent professionals and small business owners are dealing with the most rapidly changing business environments, the most demanding customers, and the toughest economic climate in 30 years, it's totally the wrong time to stop and try to create any kind of formula or fall back on marketing "best practices."

In fact, I'd venture to say that best practices are dead!!

What works for others will not work for you.

And certainly not in the same way - how could it?

Different company, different customers, different everything. The fact is that successful small businesses blaze a trail using their unique circumstances, people, and landscape - and that trail rolls up right behind them!

You can't follow. And you shouldn't try.

That's about as crazy as thinking that watching the Dallas Cowboys play football is going to increase your talents and performance in your weekend warrior football game. It won't work. You don't have their training, resources, skills, strengths, and competitive environment, do you?

The point is, your job is to make YOUR elephant dance.

And you can't do that by watching someone else.