You usually fish with many competitors in the same pond. And just like with real fishing, the difference between success and failure is often in very small things. To catch the fish, you sometimes have to offer your bait just a few centimeters deeper or add a slightly different flavor to your food.
Major changes of course and compelling change programs are by no means always the right solution if things are not going well for your company. No matter how inspiring that ‘major’ and ‘compelling’ plan may sound, continue to judge soberly whether it is the best option for the future of the company.
If you manage to successfully turn your sector upside down with a disruptive model, that is of course super cool. And if that brilliant move is really possible, I will be the last to slow you down in your enthusiasm. But how often does that chance actually occur? And how realistic is it to think that your company can take the lead in this?
Without exaggerating, I dare to say that every organization, including mine, can do better tomorrow than today. And can achieve more success. And not necessarily because of those megalomaniac plans. But by doing things just a little differently. By daring to vary and trying things. By keeping moving and taking actions.
The most successful fishermen are those who vary a lot, until they have the success formula. Every time, they look carefully at the circumstances of the moment and pay attention to what the competition is doing. They understand what they are good at themselves and what they cannot do as well. And keep wondering; what could be better now, what can I do differently than others?