Thursday, 30 August 2012
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Are You Ready For any Paradigm Shift
"Paradigm shift." That phrase sounds type of scary doesn't it? In the end, it was a paradigm shift that happened when individuals began to view the earth as round instead of flat. Paradigm shifts can often be quite monumental.
A paradigm can be thought of as the perfect and accepted example. A long-term established pattern that has become accepted because the norm or perhaps a "way to do or viewing things."
So a "paradigm shift" can be defined as a different way of looking at things. A brand new pattern accepted. Along with a new belief-system which enables assimilating this transformation.
As well as in your company as a creative entrepreneur you may be operating under an established paradigm.
For example you could think about your personal established paradigm because the way you do business: your business model and how you interact with your clients and customers; your daily patterns of promoting and communicating; your current abilities and data base; even your standards and just how you treat people or how you expect to be treated. Your business paradigm can even include the way you view your future and arrange for it - or don't arrange for it.
I believe we all probably acknowledge that we're creatures of habit for the most part. As humans we like familiarity and a sense of predictability and security. Understanding that tomorrow, a lot of things will be similar to today. And last week. And this past year. Change is scary, so many times we're feeling when something has been working for some time, then we should just keep doing much more of "that."
The problem with continuing to do "that" for prolonged periods of time is the fact that eventually doing a lot of same is tantamount to standing still.
The planet and the folks it, the firms they run, we've got the technology they will use and the way they communicate, are changing constantly. So there's no such thing to be successful by standing still. If businesses who are around you (namely your customers and prospective clients) are always changing, additionally you have to change.
I read inside a science magazine captured that the species in the world who survive as time passes aren't necessarily the best, the smartest, or even the biggest. Those that survive and evolve are the ones that ADAPT. That means being willing to do things in new ways in order to survive, as the environment around them changes.
To keep your business thriving and also to grow and alter using the changing business community around you, you have to adapt.
And as situations are changing with your rapidity nowadays, it's probably going to need a paradigm shift from you. You are going to have to start opening proper effort into new ways of looking at things, new techniques to find and customers, new technology, and new ways to communicate.
The truth is (and here's the painful part) if you want to remain in business and thrive, you're going to have to improve your business paradigm.
Evolve and adapt, or you'll be left out.
Following are some "prompts" to help you get considering your own paradigm and in which you may be resisting adapting or evolving. I encourage you to obtain a pad of paper to write down any "ah-ha!" moments which come for you while reading the remainder of this short article.
Are you up-to-date on the most advanced technology that the business could be using? And can you speak to your customers in a cogent way about the software and cloud-based technology they're using and deliver your services or products for them on their own terms? (New paradigm) Or are you currently using dated software or machinery inside your business since it is familiar and comfortable? While you know there are other efficient ways to handle your company information now? (Old paradigm) Are you currently resisting researching new technology and changing we've got the technology you utilize?
Are your ads (website, business cards, logo design) updated, fresh, intriguing and appealing to your customers? (New paradigm) Or are the marketing material designs three, five, as well as 10 years old? (Old paradigm) Are you resisting re-branding your company and therefore are you staying exactly the same, rather than boldly freshening up or changing your image?
Are you focusing on the life-time value of new customers and building long-term relationships with them? Are you currently focusing on providing superior customer support and aiming to be indispensable for them for many years? (New paradigm) Or are you currently focusing only around the individual transaction amount with new clients and just "closing the sale?" (Old paradigm) Are you resisting deepening the relationships with your clients because you're shy, too busy, or too involved looking for the "next smartest thing?"
Are you with the incredible power of engaging with other people in a Mastermind group? Are you sharing ideas, business knowledge, and combining your mind with other people to produce new strategies and outcomes? (New paradigm) Or do you still work alone in isolation, worried that sharing information or ideas with other entrepreneurs will somehow make you lose business? (Old paradigm) Are you resisting the thought of Masterminding and creating joint ventures along with other business associates out of fear?
Have you embraced social media and the Internet in an effort to broaden your business reach? Have you got a Twitter account? LinkedIn account? Facebook account? Google+ account? Would you create a newsletter or have a blog? (New paradigm) Or do you consider social networking, blogging, and newsletters really are a waste of time? (Old paradigm) Are you resisting modern methods to communicate with your subscriber base on the web?
Take some time this week to check out how you do business. Examine your habitual business practices especially things you've been doing in the same way for a long time.
A paradigm shift can be a little scary while you adjust to new ways of learning and working. However the wonderful payoff is that if you retain changing and evolving, your business will flourish and you will remain on the cutting edge. Your clients will see you like a mover and a shaker. Someone who knows what are you doing. Someone who "gets" their changing world.
Be brave... and look at where your paradigm must shift. You will be very glad you probably did.



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