Absolutum Obsoletum rule number 1: If it works, it’s already out of date.

If you are not already planning to do it differently and better, you will inevitably be left behind by your competitors who are.

It is a simple message but a powerful one. Just when you think you have everything in your business running well, you notice a competitor all of a sudden doing something differently or using a new technology or a new idea.

I can’t count how many times I have said these words to myself “why didn’t I think of that ?”.

The thing is, it didn’t happen ‘all of a sudden’. Your competitor was planning those changes for a long time and the reason you didn’t think of it was

Absolutum Obsoletum.

Absolutum Obsoletum rule number 2: If your business is successful, what made it successful will not be the same thing that keeps it successful.

Absolutum Obsoletum rule number 3: If your business is not yet successful, don’t copy those who are. You already know where they are headed. Think forward. Either anticipate the future or better yet, create it.

For those of us that can remember the 80s, ask yourself what happened to that company that invented and dominated the personal computer market? IBM, once at the forefront technology and a world wide giant almost disappeared. They bounced back to become just another ‘also ran’.

Once upon a time in Australia, you could buy a Holden or a Ford and that was it. In 2011, both Holden and Ford had 1 model each only in the top 10 list, in 2012, Ford has dropped out of the 10 completely and Holden has been relegated by several Mazda and Toyota models with the humble Hyundai rivaling the sales of the once might Commodore.

In 2013, Apple, who previously owned the smartphone market, was trounced by Samsung. Apple’s share price dropped.

I could go on with countless examples but by now you should be remembering the ones that have connection to your own world.

The principle applies equally to Fortune 500 companies to Fish & Chip shops.

Now you know the problem, what can you do about it? Embrace it and use it. Build it into your business processes. If you want help from someone that has done it before, you know how to contact Specialized Management Services