Business, as in life, is always in flux. Change is constant. How we respond to change defines our outcomes–our results.

Many entrepreneurs fail to actively look for the changes taking place around them–it’s more comfortable to maintain the status quo.

In “Managing in the Next Society”, Peter Drucker tackles the topic from a different perspective. Most of us shy away from change or hope that things stay just as they are. Drucker encourages entrepreneurs to actually search for change, evaluate it carefully, and respond effectively.

Here’s what this great business leader had to say on the topic of change in a segment he entitled, “Searching for Change”:

“A change is something people do; a fad is something people talk about. Smart entrepreneurs see change as the norm and as healthy. The entrepreneur always searches for change, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity.

Look at every change taking place around you, look out every window. And ask, ‘Could this be an opportunity?’ ‘Is this a genuine change or simply a fad?’ The difference is very simple: A change is something people do, and a fad is something people talk about. An enormous amount of talk is a fad. You must also ask yourself if these transitions, these changes, are an opportunity or a threat. If you start out by looking at change as a threat, you will never innovate. Don’t dismiss something because this is not what you had planned. The unexpected is often the best source of innovation.”

I’m trying to heed Peter Drucker’s advice. I’d encourage you to do the same.

Drucker continues on the topic with the following advice, “Take a half an hour to discuss with a colleague the changes sweeping your industry and identify the biggest genuine changes. Ignore the fads; figure out how to capitalize on the genuine changes.”

Check our these great blogs for more information about this topic:

Self Growth and Business Development Brings Success

5 Reasons Why People Refuse To Accept Change

3 Principles to Create Lasting Change

Ten Tips on Managing Change

Tags: Business, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Peter Drucker

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 13th, 2008 at 9:38 am and is filed under Business. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.