Are you going to be Relevant or Irrelevant?
What you are good at might become irrelevant sooner than
you think.
The list of examples that history gives is huge…
The best type writer manufacturer is the world continued
to be the best in manufacturing type writers but their expertise has become
irrelevant. Computers have made it so.
The best manufacturer of film based cameras continue to
be the best in manufacturing film based cameras but their expertise has become
irrelevant. Digital cameras have made it so.
The best tailor in the neighborhood continues
to be the best in the neighborhood but his expertise has become irrelevant. Readymade
have made it so.
The expertise of Hindustan Motors in making ‘Ambassador’
cars is irrelevant today. Newer technologies and newer designs with changing
customer preferences forced it to stop production. They are almost out of
business.
Who would have thought that HMT watches will become
irrelevant? Titan made it so.
Who would have thought that Bajaj will stop manufacturing
scooters? Honda and Hero made it so.
Who would have thought banks would come home?
Who would have thought cell phones will change the way we
live and that they will be affordable to even the poorest of the poor in India?
Who would have thought internet driven by the power of
the broadband will change the way information is distributed in the world?
Who would have thought Nirma will challenge the behemoth
Unilever?
Who would have thought the West Indies will be a spent
force in cricket by 2000 after dominating world cricket for almost 20 years?
Who would have thought in India, three sitting MPs from
the ruling coalition government will be in jail?
Who would have thought a 74
year old Anna Hazare will be the youth’s icon in a country that routinely
worships cricketers and film stars?
Well, you see, people change, preferences change, and
things change. And they change very rapidly in the world of business. They hurt
the maximum in business. They provide maximum opportunities too in the world of
Business.
What are you good at? Are
there chances of your strength becoming irrelevant? Are you developing the next
set of strengths that will carry your business to the next orbit in terms of
prosperity and development?
Are you still waiting with
satisfactory under performance? Do you exaggerate how good things are now in
order to reduce your fear of change? Are you slow in implementation and
decision making instead of speeding things up? Do you imagine that your competition
is in no hurry to change? They too are going to be as reluctant of change as
you are? What about the competition that hasn’t entered the market yet and has
nothing to lose…
Tomorrow, are you going to be relevant or irrelevant?
Interesting question isn’t it?
With loads of love, prayers and best wishes,
As I Live…I Learn
Mohammed Aftab
