Do We Embrace Change?

Do we embrace changeAs I mentioned in last week’s article “Build Your Wings On The Way” I’m trying something new by hosting my own event coming up on October 10, 2014 in Stamford, CT. Learn more here: http://www.mitchtublin.com/L2Stamford/ and check out the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/L2Stamford. This event requires me to stretch and do something different.

So what is it about change we don’t like? It has been proven over and over again in the business world when change is introduced the backlash is huge. In fact, huger than huge. Huger may not even be a word, but that is how huge the backlash typically is when change is introduced.

By and large in the last ten years or more the change has been in the way technology is changing the way work is executed. Technology is changing the need for paper, filing paper, retrieving paper, communicating with each other and the list goes on and on. Entire departments of people have been erased from company after company. Initially many resisted change.

The fact is at the rawest level we despise change. Each of us become comfortable in our own skin. We know what we are really good at doing and we know what we basically are not good at doing, except the CEO, they are always great at everything, ask them and they will tell you.

All of us have issues with change because of a few areas we all deal with. We all have baggage. The baggage we acquire growing up. This might be in the form of low self-esteem, fear of failure, being a perfectionist, a need to please, and more. Negative self talk prevents us from changing for the better through internal whispers like, “Who do you think you are? You can’t do that or be that.”

Instead we form a comfort zone around us to keep us from changing.

Even though many of us know deep down and see from what a few others have done, when change is implemented and followed through the results are nothing short of amazing!

What it takes to change ourselves for the better are specifically three things.

  • First is we must believe and trust our self. This must be an unwavering belief and trust in our own judgment, views and belief in self.
  • Second is we must have commitment. It is only through a solid commitment to change which will carry each of us through the obstacles which will certainly be there for us to overcome.
  • Third is courage. The courage to admit to ourselves we must change where we are weak.

Where are we in our life that we are not serving ourselves well? Take this on and the returns are immense. Start with a small, reachable and attainable goal. Go on from there. The rewards are sweet.

Mitch Tublin is an advanced certified executive and personal coach who resides in Stamford, CT.

Do You Know What Your Customers Want?

know-your-customersAt the NJ Shore, ice cream trucks still roam the local streets. Each beach block the ringing of the chimes or bells brings out running children laughing with glee and happiness to purchase their favorite treat.

Imagine if when they arrived at the truck all that was available was fruit! Nice wholesome apples, pears, peaches or a banana to purchase – no ice cream.

How would the children react? How would they feel?

The reason for bringing this information up in this discussion today is to ask you how you determine what is important to your clients and customers? And, how often do you check in with your clients and customers to make certain you know what is important to them and you are providing them with what is important to them. Often – this is easier said than accomplished!

Clients, customers and prospects are continually changing their view and opinion on what is most important to them. Speak with anyone in retail and they will be happy to describe why store layouts are changed and for those in fashion why the styles always change.

It is to stay ahead of the curve. By creating the change before the consumer determines they need the change, the retailer is still somewhat in control. When the consumer changes their opinion about something, on their own, the retailer may lose their customer forever.

In a similar fashion, anyone in a provider or service based business must stay on top of the needs and wants of their clients. The continual learning and growing to stay more than current, to stay ahead of the curve is not just a necessity it is a requirement. By surrounding yourself and being a part of the leading minds in your area of expertise, you become part of the this leading edge.

You may be thinking, “I don’t need to be that much on the leading edge, everything is fine right now, my customers are happy.” Okay, you are permitted to feel this way.

By point of fact, an entire industry in the event video space was completely turned upside down almost overnight. Technology has created the opportunity for virtually anyone to offer a high quality photography and video service including editing, adding in music and more for a deep discount for family events such as weddings in comparison to only a few years ago where ‘specialists’ were running a full time business requiring booking months in advance and charging premium prices for the service.

In every geographic region these type of businesses were shutting down. Only the few who evolved, who recognized they must offer something more, something unique, something the customer wanted were able to stay in business and thrive.

In summary, always be asking, always check in with your clients, customers and prospects on what they care about.  What do they want?

Mitch Tublin is an advanced certified executive and personal coach who resides in Stamford. CT.

 

Embrace Change for Your Business Success

What is it about change that is so difficult for us?

Let’s try this out today. If you wear a watch on your wrist, take the watch off and move it over to your other wrist. Leave your watch there for the rest of the day. You know that you physically moved your watch from one wrist to the other. However, whenever you want to check out what time it is today, you will first take a look at the wrist without the watch on it throughout the entire day. You know you made the change moving your watch from the wrist where you always wear it to the other wrist and you still take a look.

Why do we do that?

The human brain works in very specific ways. The physical recognition of moving the watch does not necessarily communicate the move to the behavior part of the brain. This will take place over time with repeated activity.

There are terms such as “We are creatures of habit” or “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” and more. There is some thread of truth woven into these statements. The fact is, we are all the sum of the actions we take each and every day. In order to effectively put into place new habits, which will create lasting change, there is a requirement that we put effort into the activity. When the habits we intend to create are for change toward growth and place us on the path toward the fulfillment of our dreams even more effort is required.

This is due to outside influences who want us to remain as we are and as they know us. It is not to hold us back. It is that when we grow and when we change our habits, our friends, acquaintances and family notice we are different in their eyes. This brings them some level of discomfort. We must work toward assuring them we are on our correct path, or distance ourselves from them until we are comfortable enough not to be sidetracked off of our formulation of new habits and creating positive change within ourselves. This is not to say we should move out of town! It is to say, to avoid the long and deep conversations where negative input is placed upon us which might influence us.

When you are running your own business with a team, or you are an entrepreneur running your own business alone, the ability to embrace positive change and to be able to formulate your internal plan to make this part of your personal fingerprint will be one of the most valuable skills you should acquire.

Mitch Tublin is an advanced certified personal and executive coach who lives in Stamford, CT.

Your Focus on Your Personal and Business Growth Will Create Growth in Others

Your focus on your Personal and Business growth will create growth in others. The people around you will be the first to see your investment of your time, energy, effort and money into your personal and business growth.
What has been your most recent work for your own personal or business growth?
Have you seen the interest of those nearest to you in following this same line of growth for themselves?