In so many aspects of business commerce, especially technology, we sell change. In the arena of technology as an enabler for business success, we constantly push new paradigms, new vocabulary, new must have software, and new devices. Yesterday’s must have quickly becomes today’s blasé. Sometimes, I think we in the technology sector have it worse than the fashion industry. However, in a recent post, I commented on how the more things change, the more they stay the same. Am I being double-minded? Read on…
Recently, a group of us at the office have been collectively reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Covey’s classic work on effecting personal change to empower public success. I first discovered Covey and the seven habits about 25 years ago, early in my professional career. I own both the original version of the manuscript and the 25th anniversary edition – the main difference being the anniversary edition contains 20-30 additional pages of forewords, reflections, acknowledgements and endorsements from a proverbial Who’s Who in industry, academia, public and private sector. It really puts forth an impressive display of agreement.
Covey states that he did not invent the seven habits; he merely discovered them through his years of study, and set out synthesizing them and orchestrating them in a manner easily digestible by us common folk. A humble gesture indeed. Covey emphasizes that the principles he writes about are timeless and foundational in the universe. In other words, whether or not you choose to acknowledge and embrace them, they still exist.
As I set out to read The 7 Habits again, some 25 years later, I was eager to put Covey’s theory to the test. About halfway through as of this writing, I can affirm that Covey was right. His 7 Habits as outlined are as relevant today as they were 25 years ago. If you are a young millennial not familiar with the 7 Habits, I highly recommend you read and put them into practice. If you read Covey years ago as I did, it is worthy of a reread – both for yourself and to mentor others.
Intentional Change Benefits the Customer
So what’s the connection? In business and in life, regardless of the amount of change we endure; timeless, foundational principles do exist. These principles do not change. For me, putting the customer first is a core business principle. You can’t go wrong in doing what is right for your customer. Successful businesses transcend change and propel forward by keeping their focus on what matters most – the customer. Don’t lose sight of what truly matters. Regardless of your role in the evolution of change – marketing, sales, implementation or service, keep your focus on your customers and deliver value to them. Be intentional and purposeful with your change.
We think the Customer is King. What do you think?
