All organizations must move into new markets with new customers buying new solutions. It’s inevitable. Over time, all product markets shift to new solutions. Given this inevitability, isn’t it amazing how few make the shift?
BloggingInnovation.com published a GREAT article “20 Phrases That Kill Ideas and Innovation.” What I like is that we’ve all heard these 20!!!! Here we go with “That’s a good idea, but…”
- It’s against company policy
- It’s not practical
- It’s not necessary
- We don’t have the resources
- It will cost too much
- We’ve never done it that way
- Our customers (or vendors) won’t like it
- It needs more study
- It’s not part of your job
- Let’s make a survey first
- Let’s sit on it for a while
- That’s not our problem
- The boss won’t go for it
- The old timers won’t use it
- It’s too hard to administer
- Why hasn’t someone else suggested it before?
- Let’s form a committee
- We should wait until the economy improves
- Who else has tried it?
- Is it best practice?
Really! I bet you’ve heard all of these. Defend & Extend Management becomes so embedded in the culture managers don’t even realize they’ve turned off to new markets and fallen into focusing solely on trying to protect the old. And as markets shift these phrases never go away – they just maintain Lock-in!
The next time somebody brings you an idea – an innovation – I want you to gauge your reaction. Before you speak, see if your mind brings you one of these 20. If so, you’re more dedicated to Lock-in than growth. You’re stuck in D&E Management. And that means you need a healthy dose of The Phoenix Principle. Time to do some scenario planning, dig deeply into competitors, Disrupt those Lock-ins and set up a White Space team to explore new opportunities! Overcome these objections before they stop you – cold!
