I was in a hotel meeting room in Madison Wisconsin. I had taken all the classroom tables and chairs out. Scoured the hotel for every lounge type chair and couch, and set the room for a three day business model workshop.
As the business unit general manager walked in she paused … turned her head from left to right, and said, “Well this is different.”
And then, at 7:58 AM sharp, she kicked off the workshop before turning the three days over to me.
She asked her leadership team, “Why are we here?” She then listed the significant challenges the business faced:
- Our products have been commoditized
- The relationships we relied on, are no longer creating the loyalty we once enjoyed
- The services we offer, can be found in our competitor’s offerings
- New and non-traditional competition has entered the market
Her conclusion; there was a need to develop a new model. A new way of creating value. She said we must innovate our way out of this. And, then she looked at her team. She paused for affect. And she said … “If not us, who?”
You Can Do This
Go on, list the challenges your business face on a white board. And on another list the opportunities in front of you (their are many!). Then lead a discussion with your leadership team. Let them know that there are solutions to overcome the challenges and to seize the opportunities. And ask them … if we don’t figure this out … If we don’t lead the innovation process … If we don’t think different …
If not us, who?
* This article first appeared in the Innovation Corner column of Supply House Times.
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