Look at it another way .....

As Albert Einstein said - ‘You can never solve a problem on the level on which it was created.’

One of the challenges of being the only person in your business is that it can be difficult to find a different ‘level’ or way of looking at a problem in order to solve it!  Then again, even larger companies with the attitude ‘that’s how things have always been done around here’ will struggle to break away.

I’ve been reading a lot about differentiation lately and the need to stand out, or at least slightly apart, from our competitors.

But it’s no wonder we find it so hard to do.  As small children, we are expected to behave in a certain way and to conform to the rules in order to fit in.  By the time we reach our teens, we go to extreme lengths to be just like our peers in how we dress, what music we listen to, what causes we support.  Adulthood sees us conforming again, building the corporate career path & the marriage, mortgage and children personal path. 

But rebellion can strike at any time & thank goodness it does!

College drop outs and non-conformists often go on to become successful entrepreneurs.  Think of Sir Richard Branson or Steve Jobs.  Not only did they found their global corporations on innovative thinking, they know that they need to keep being different to stay ahead of the game.

What problems are you facing in your business?  How do you think Richard Branson or Steve Jobs would tackle them?

(I recently interviewed Paul Sloane, author of several books on creative and lateral thinking.  You can listen to the recording here)

Comments

[LouiseBJ]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience here Giles, and you're so right - I've seen that look of dismissal too! These people want to see proof that a new approach will work before they give it a try, whereas in reality they have to take a leap of faith!

[Giles Babbidge]

You're quite right, Louise.

I often get the 'That’s how things have always been done around here' vibe when talking with clients and colleagues. And I think this mentality affects certain industries more than others.

For example, I gave a presentation to a local networking group recently, about online social networking, and you could see the look of dismissal on some of their faces.

People are often afraid of what they don't know or understand, and if paid advertising, for example, has worked for someone in the past, you can appreciate why they might be reluctant to switch approach.

At the end of the day for such people, I think it's a case of just embracing the new way... and you never know, they just might be pleasantly surprised!