“If you always do what you’ve always done…you’ll always get what you always got.” ~ Henry Ford

The founder of the Ford Motor Company is accredited with introducing this saying, which has become something of a motivational guru’s dream statement, inspiring people to self-examination and change. I had a boss who used to love saying it, and I consider him to be a well informed and insightful business mind. Still, when I spent time thinking about this quote from a purely business standpoint, I came to the conclusion that it was wrong….or rather that it was inaccurate. The business world, as we so often are forced to realize, is an ever-changing landscape of market opportunity and development that almost never remains static. Whether the landscape of your industry changes slightly, impacted by the release of some new technology, or radically in response to a new and more lucrative market segment opening up, Ford’s statement remains fundamentally flawed as it is presented. I believe it should read as follows:

“If you always do what you’ve always done…you’ll be lucky to get what you always got.”

While some companies in your industry are moving ahead with a mentality that they have “always done it that way,” others are already looking at the evolving business environment and seeing opportunity in change. Those companies engaged in a cycle of growth and adaptation to market forces are competing for business that static companies haven’t evolved to handle. It’s really unrealistic for companies locked in an outdated business model to expect to continue to achieve the same level of success that they have always had. Some companies may maintain their success in the short term, but ultimately they are fighting a losing battle by failing to grow with their industry.

All of this creates one very important question…how is your company evolving?

What areas of your business are preparing to change in response to new opportunity, or changing market focus? iCAT clients know that one area where change is coming to their industry is in contents restoration. They have recognized the growing focus and rising expectations of insurance carriers, adjusters and policy holders and have adapted early in an effort to improve their market position (amongst other benefits.) Now, instead of reacting to market change they are actively involved in leading it, positioning themselves as best in class operators and marketing their expanded capabilities as the new business standard their clients should expect.

That’s exciting.

If your company isn’t actively engaged in change management designed to capitalize on the industry’s expanding focus on contents, or if your operation doesn’t understand what sets a Modern Contents© restorer apart from all others, maybe it’s time for you to give us a call.