Your Time Is Now

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

That's what they say, at least. For as long as I can remember, it has been the foundational argument of those who resist changing the status quo in favor of unproved methods.

The deterioration of the stock market over the last year and the struggles of advertising industry over the past decade teach us that it's past time to recognize a new paradigm.

It may not be broken yet, but it will break.

Prepare now for when it does.

Then, when times get bad, you're ready to make your move, because the fear caused by an uncertain future will make people open to trying these new, unproved methods.

If companies and individuals did this -- dedicated a small portion of their budget to research and experimentation -- we wouldn't ask the government to try to level out the peaks and valleys of the cyclical economy by juggling the interest rate, printing more money, or promising to bail out and temporarily prop up companies with faulty, legacy business models and management.

The secret to success

There is no secret. There's just hard work. And by the way: start at your own desk.

You could rely on blind luck to inspire similar dedication in your staff. But you exponentially increase your chances if you're there. Leading from the front. Listening. Evaluating. Experimenting.

Be smart about it, but don't be afraid to fail and don't be afraid of no. If it isn't exactly broken now, it's only a matter of time. Will you be ready for it?

If not you, then who else is there? - Cam Beck

Update: While we're on the subject, check out this brilliant piece by Jim Stroup on Exploiting Success. This is a much better alternative to propping up failures.

Comments

[Brad Shorr]

Cam, It could be people are heeding your advice. I've noticed a lot more interest in my social media marketing services among medium size firms ever since the markets fell off the cliff. Necessity is the mother of invention.

[Sean]

I like your writing because there are always little nuggets that I can pull out and use.
Today's nugget is "don't be afraid of no." That's much easier said than done, but true nonetheless.