How do you feel about change?

I follow Seth Godin’s blog. He’s the author of The Purple Cow, Linchpin, Tribes, and a host of other best sellers. So when he speaks, I listen.

Recently he wrote about “When the world changes…..” and shared a few interesting remarks. He said, “It is painful, expensive, time-consuming, stressful and ultimately pointless to work overtime to preserve your dying business model.” He continued, “All the lobbying, the lawsuits, the ad campaigns and most of all, the hand-wringing, aren’t going to change anything at all. In fact, instead of postponing the outcome you fear, they probably will accelerate it.”

This certainly relates to the gem and jewelry industry. In my consulting work, I hear a lot of complaints about how things have changed. Retailers complain that they can’t compete any more. Suppliers complain that retailers don’t buy any more (let alone pay, if they do), and that they want everything on memo or on terms that make the supplier, in effect, their banker. The more I hear such complaints, the more I am convinced that those retailers and suppliers will be out of business soon.

Contrast this with a client of mine who was 38% up in business in December. You may not believe that, but there are as many good jewelers up as bad jewelers down. Gone are the days when all retailers and suppliers are either up or down together. Those who compete, work hard and smart, and dedicate themselves to their business, win.

Another client of mine deflects annoying comments from jewelers who complain about the economy. The U.S. economy is still the largest in the world, and according to recent figures, is as large as it has ever been in dollar terms. 40% of all jewelry consumed annually is in America. It’s not the economy that matters. It’s how retailers and suppliers compete with those in their market.

Things have surely changed over the years, and we can bet this will continue. Those who are tied to a dying business model have to change to meet the times. Those who have vision, are committed to a plan, and work tirelessly to be successful are the ones who will survive and even thrive in any economy.

Ask yourself where you stand on change. Then do something about it.

Here are a few business and life tips to think about:

Business Tips

• Take control of your actions. Make sure to get things done with excellence. And have a timeline that is realistic and achievable.
• Seize opportunities that come to you if they are in line with your objectives and goals. Opportunities accelerate everything you do.
• Having trouble getting along with someone? Consider that you might be the problem, and do something about it. Don’t waste time.
• When you simply must succeed at something, adopt a “failure is not an option” mentality. Put your contingency plans away.
• Treat people with respect. Give them the benefit of the doubt until they prove you wrong. They want to do a good job. Let them.

Life Tips

• They say “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Most of us would prefer to avoid the pain, but gain comes with it, nonetheless.
• Don’t put things off today in the hopes that they’ll go away. They seldom do. Things tend to get worse with procrastination.
• Worry is a waste of the human mind. Worry less. Be decisive. Do more. Action and activity will take worry away. Just do it.
• Make your views known to others in a thoughtful and constructive way. How we say things is more important than what we say.
• Use difficult times as a means of developing strength, wisdom, intelligence, and experience in the midst of challenge and change.

Tags: Advice, Business, Business Development, Business Tips, Developing Leaders, Leadership, Leadership Excellence, Learning, Life Tips, Management, Personal Development, Philosophy, Reality, Responsibility, Success, The Mind of a Leader, Vision