What's the easiest way to grow your business and remain relevant? Do you want the short answer?
Get your head out of the sand.
It always amazes me, when I have conversations with business leaders who are not keeping themselves current/relevant in an ever-changing environment.
We recently attended and presented at the HIDA Streamlining Healthcare Conference, in Chicago. As is typical of any conference, there are the casual conversations (typically over cocktails) that go something like this: “Where do you work?” “What do you do there?” Then it continues on....
This year, I was just baffled when I was asked, “So, you blog? Why do you do that? How’s that going to help my business?” My response, “Yes, we do blog, as a part of an Inbound Marketing Strategy.” Then this person said my all-time favorite line, “I don’t have TIME to deal with any new technology-- online, in-line, or whatever.”
You can only go so far, when trying to help someone who has cranial rectal inversion. So, when I see a dead-end (and in this case, a conversation that was becoming condescending), that's my exit. Sadly, this kind of attitude from a business leader, puts them in danger of becoming irrelevant and out of a job.
Why Aren't More Business Leaders Online?
Richard Branson poses a great question, here. I love his blogs-- If you aren't following him, you should. He is an awesome, forward-thinker, and I’m certain he and I would be great friends.
He references a study, “indicating that with in five years social media will be the number two way to engage with customers (after face-to-face personal interaction).” Branson goes on to ask, why then, would you wait five years to engage?
As leaders of your organizations, you have a great opportunity to “set the bar” on this one. Engage your employees. They are great advocates for your organization. Be where your customers are researching.
You don’t want to be left behind. As Thomas Paine's famous saying goes, "Lead, follow or get out of the way!"
Image courtesy of: tropical.pete
