Tough news on the High Street this week as UK retailer, Wilko went bust with 12,500 jobs going bust.
Tough news, and at the same time it shines a light on the challenge for businesses operating the same way they always have.
Disruption in every sector is hiding in plain sight. Our leaders have no choice but to get on the front foot and disrupt themselves before they are disrupted by the market.
The challenge is we are still using linear thinking to solve exponential problems. The challenges we face can’t be solved by the thinking of yesterday.
It needs fresh thinking, big bold ambitious goals that challenge the orthodoxy.
I truly believe that if you plan to be in the business that you are in today, in 5 years time, then you won’t be in business.
As McKinsey say, the pace of change will never be this slow again.
(My new book out next month on the mindset we need to develop in our organisations to deal with the threat of continual disruption).
Autumn Season
Autumn speaking season is fully underway with events this month for Ocado, Old Mutual, INEOS and some other world-class teams on the mindset they need to tackle the challenges of today.
It’s always interesting to see what resonates most at talks - one recent message from one attendee highlights the people challenge that many teams are facing.
The key is always people and making sure they are being looked after so that your team can face down their toughest challenges.