Massive, and yes, overwhelming creation, innovation, distribution, and access to just about everything and anything… anytime! In-your-face relentless marketing and advertising… bombarding each and every one of us 24-7. In 2009, it would be easy to consciously or unconsciously conclude that past advice, counsel, wisdom and principles are just not relevant in 2009 and beyond. Everything is radically different. Things have changed so much. The past is no longer relevant…
That conclusion, whether conscious or unconscious, would be absolutely, categorically wrong!
Although there are others, ten of the driving forces affecting each and every one of us in 2009 include:
- Speed (we increasingly demand speed, and more speed in every area of our lives)
- Convenience (we increasingly demand more and more convenience in every area of our lives)
- Age Waves (different and distinct behaviors and expectations of different generations)
- Choice (have it your way…)
- Lifestyle (understand and respond to lifestyle changes)
- Discounting (price competition)
- Value-adding (differentiation and an alternative to price competition)
- Customer Service (competitive advantage via people and service)
- Techno-edge (using technology to create, innovate, differentiate, deliver and lead your field)
- Quality (as perceived through the eyes of the customer)
Virtually every person engaged in any part of our economy and society would agree that the ten driving forces listed above are highly relevant in 2009. These driving forces dramatically impact the way we live, work, play, communicate and relate with others… they impact everything we do. Virtually everyone would also agree that each of these ten driving forces provide limitless opportunities for additional personal, professional and organizational success (however each person defines success).
Here is the kicker. The ten driving forces listed above were featured and extensively discussed in a book published in 1991. That’s right… 1991, nearly twenty years ago! The book was titled, Managing the Future; 10 Driving Forces of Change for the ‘90s. The book, written by Robert B. Tucker was copyrighted and published in 1991.
Imagine how much further along you would be, in all areas of your Success Journey, if you had read, memorized, internalized and consistently applied these ten forces in every area of your life… starting in 1991. Or, for those of you a bit younger, whenever you started your career and your journey toward the success you desire in life.
In fact, with the ever increasing creation, innovation, distribution, and access to just about everything, anytime; past advice, counsel, wisdom and principles are more important than ever. Fads, short term trends, gizmos by the millions, as well as all kinds of programs, products and services are flashing through our consciousness like shooting stars that burn brightly, ever so briefly, and then flame out.
Not so with a major driving force in our society and economy. A major driving force is a fundamental value that influences consumer behavior for an extended period of time… a profound societal direction. Not a flash in human terms… but a force that may significantly impact all of humanity for decades or for one or more lifetimes.
Other highly relevant 2009 advice and wisdom contained in this “old” 1991 book:
- “The success formula isn’t hard to understand: It is simply to stay close to the customers. Really close. Minute-to-minute close.”
- “Quaker was run over by the competition because it became content with managing the status quo. The challenge is always where your customers are going, not where they were yesterday.”
- “Defenders are often blind to the threat. Busy managing the day-to-day operations, they don’t notice what’s going on until it’s too late. Too focused on their own internal procedures, they fail to grasp the external shifts that will soon clobber them.”
- “Strive to be slightly ahead of your customers, as opposed to a little behind. Not too far in front, at least in application, but certainly not behind.”
- “Remember – if you don’t take the time to understand these forces, your competitors will. Count on it. Somewhere out there someone is scheming to put you out of business. Your best defense is to get there first.”
In 2009, it would be easy to consciously or unconsciously conclude that past advice, counsel, wisdom and principles are just not relevant in 2009 and beyond. Everything is radically different. Things have changed so much. The past is no longer relevant.
That conclusion, whether conscious or unconscious, would be absolutely, categorically wrong!
Go Back to the Future… Learn from and Ride the Driving Forces of Change…
