One of the biggest challenges confronting business owners in turbulent times is risk mitigation. Keeping the businesses running without exposing it to any more disruptions or threats is foremost on most business owners minds.
Unfortunately, this protectionist mindset is probably the biggest obstacle to moving the business forward and into a stronger, more viable place.
A recent blog post by Patrick Lefler touched on the topic of innovation and change. In his post, he concluded that “Innovation has little to do with genius or inspiration and has everything to do with abandoning the old.”
While I do not agree with the premise that innovation has little to do with genius, I passionately embrace the notion that abandoning the old is the only path to discovering innovative opportunities.
Innovation and growth can only come from “abandoning the old“– accepting risk in the name of improvement. A business cannot go on the offensive when in a defensive stance. Getting out of that defensive stance requires letting go of old habits, processes, behaviors, methodologies, tools, programs and ideas. It is the first step toward developing a new model, concept or program for the business.
While I recognize that we sometime find ourselves in a situation where we are fearful of the outcomes of change, especially in today’s risk laden environment; the only way to re-establish the viability and strength of any business is to be willing to let go of the old while exploring, discovering, and embracing the new that is in front of us.
