Hello friends!
There is an old adage that has always resonated with me—“chance favors the prepared mind.” Many great opportunities that I have been fortunate enough to capitalize on were not the result of meticulous planning but rather came from being well-prepared to act when the unexpected presented itself.
This timeless wisdom is particularly relevant in the fast-paced worlds of business and direct selling, where agility and adaptability are crucial. Companies that cultivate a culture of continuous learning and strategic foresight are better positioned to recognize and leverage new opportunities, turning unforeseen events into significant achievements.
Consider the stories of two prominent companies faced with unexpected discoveries. One turned a serendipitous moment into an iconic product, exemplifying innovation. The other became a cautionary tale about the consequences of failing to embrace change.
In 1968, Dr. Spencer Silver, a scientist at 3M, was attempting to develop a super-strong adhesive. Instead, he accidentally created a high-tack, low-adhesion reusable pressure-sensitive adhesive. For several years, the invention seemed without practical application—no one at 3M knew what to do with it.
Six years later, another 3M scientist, Art Fry, attended one of Silver’s seminars and learned about the adhesive. Fry sang in a church choir and was frustrated that his bookmark kept falling out of his hymnal. He realized that Silver’s adhesive could be used to create a non-damaging, reusable bookmark. He used the adhesive to coat these bookmarks, which led to the development of the Post-it Note.
3M encouraged its researchers to spend 15% of their time pursuing speculative innovations, which created the perfect environment for Fry to see the potential in Silver’s adhesive.
In contrast, consider the story of the Eastman Kodak Co.’s response to the digital photography revolution; In the mid-1970s, Kodak engineer Steve Sasson invented the first digital camera, a device that captured images using electronic sensors instead of film. While this innovation had the potential to revolutionize the photography industry, Kodak was hesitant to advance a technology that threatened its film-based business model.
As digital technology continued to advance and consumer interest shifted, other companies eagerly stepped into the space that Kodak had hesitated to embrace. By the time Kodak acknowledged the significance of digital photography and attempted to adapt, it was too late; the company had lost its competitive edge.
In the direct selling channel, the necessity of remaining open to change is especially crucial. As marketing technology, consumer habits and FTC guidelines continue to rapidly evolve, businesses must stay agile and adaptable. Recognizing that opportunities might arise unexpectedly, and diligently preparing to seize them with strategic foresight and swift action, will undoubtedly elevate industry leaders, their companies, and the entire channel.
I thank you for reading and wish you all a successful (and innovative) month ahead!
Warmly, David Bland!
