For the past five years, our most requested keynote and seminar program has been Productive Chaos: Riding the Wave of Change. The reason is obvious. Today organizations and individuals are forced to deal with a fast-changing, hyper-competitive, and increasingly complex world!
Sadly, many are struggling to cope with the consequences of constant change. Ironically, others are taking advantage of the opportunities created by that same escalating wave of change.
Doubtful? For one week, keep your eye on the examples of drastic change which appear in the local, state, and national media. No industry is immune today and paradigms currently range from disastrous to phenomenal. The one obvious constant—change.
Let’s examine a few of the most recent examples:
The Toilet Changes
Researchers from China, Switzerland, Britain, the Netherlands, Canada and California have flocked to Seattle for the “Reinvent the Toilet Fair,” a two-day showcase hosted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Yes, THAT Bill Gates … of Microsoft fame and fortune.
In a YouTube video calling for a “toilet revolution,” the foundation called for “new ideas to help reduce disease and find new ways to turn crap into valuable stuff, like fuel, fertilizer, and fresh water.”
Gates took on the mission of building a better toilet a year ago. As he recently told the Times of India, 1.5 million children die each year due to severe diarrhea caused by poor sanitation because they lack the kind of toilets that affluent countries take for granted.
Best Buy Changes
Remember the classic battle between Circuit City and Best Buy? Circuit City is now history as Best Buy emerged victorious. However, Best Buy has identified Amazon as its greatest competitor in today’s challenging marketplace. To compete it plans to revitalize the Geek Squad … this time to do much more than just computer repair. The Geek Squad will now install GPS devices in cars and offer in-store Smartphone tutorials for customers. They’ll also advise homeowners on how to reduce energy bills and educate hospitals as to how to safely transmit patient records through tablets.
Best Buy is also considering a name change for the 20,000 strong Geek Squad workforce as it enhances their job descriptions to offer so many more services.
As you can see, openness and adaptability to constant change is rapidly becoming a way of life for any business or individual who hopes to survive the ever-growing challenge of our chaotic business culture.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing other current examples of those who have recognized the importance of changing with the times.
About Harry K. Jones
Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.