Beverley Knight was right.
“It’s always harder to be the one left behind, than the one to go”
....but I’m not about to get deep on a personal level. I’m talking in marketing terms. What if you added up all the WHAT IFs and the SHOULD WEs and COULD WEs – how far could you have gone, if you’d just done it?
Take the risk, bite the bullet, grab every corny saying by the horns…whatever you do, just bloody do it. I always personally live by the mantra of seeking forgiveness rather than permission and I wonder how many businesses do the same.
Beverley Knight was bang on the money. "Shoulda woulda coulda" really are the last words of a fool.
The headline-grabbers are the ones that push boundaries, the ones who don’t just think outside the box, but turn that box into an opportunity for it to be something else, something that doesn’t even resemble a box anymore. They’re innovators, challengers, leaders. They are the ones creating a new narrative, while they question the old.
They are transforming brands and the perception of these organisations in the public eye. They are creating awareness, telling stories, collaborating and driving forward conversation that no one else is having…yet.
These are the ones to watch. And they are being watched – by their peers, their community, their stakeholders, their competition.
Be brave, be bold, be curious, be first.?
Head Of Marketing | Ex-Marriott | Creative | Brand, Marketing and Communications | Expert People Person
3 年As a marketeer, I never want to let myself get comfortable. If something is working and I’m coasting, not looking for the next campaign or algorithm buster then I know I’m not doing my job. Research, data and strategy always have a seat at the table but so should gut feel from the specialists and being empowered to make mistakes by trying new things. Imagine if someone at Cadbury’s had said a drum playing gorilla was absurd or the holidays coming had nothing to do with Coca Cola. Totally agree with the campaigns from Thursday, I’m seeing them everywhere. Yes, they can be devisive and some people don’t always like the ideas…but guess what, we’re all talking about them! Great piece Helen!
Senior Employer Brand Specialist at AVEVA
3 年First of all, it's amazing to find a fellow Beverley Knight fan. Secondly, I watched a video the other day where a lady was asked what she regretted about her life/what she would have done differently, and she said straight off the bat that it was that she didn't take risks. This really did resonate with me and I think this is probably true of many of us. I guess some are more risk-averse than others and I do think both types of personalities have a role to play. The risk-averse make sure that the innovators and challengers do their 'homework' before they press ahead with the change, and whilst sometimes this can be frustrating, I think it's important to be challenged and to consider different points of view. By working together the disruptors who pave the way for the new can inspire those who are more tentative about change and take them along in the journey, and this is why they are often leaders. Together, they can be a powerful force, that generates change and innovation that adds real value, whether the output is a success or not. Even in failure, if a leader is able to make one risk-averse person feel more comfortable with change, that's a success. Such a great, thought-provoking piece, thanks for sharing!
Client Services Director | Marketing Strategist
3 年History favours risk takers. No one ever got anywhere by playing safe. Take the risk or lose the chance. Just a few smart words from smart people that come to mind when I think about taking risks. Can't think of any that say to play it safe. Maybe Barney. And where is he now?
Co-founder at Thursday
3 年Hi Helen, thanks so much for this write up. Very interesting and we’re very flattered!! ??
UK Head of Marketing | Chartered Marketer | Mini MBA in Marketing and Brand | Leader of the Institute of Sales Professionals | Certified Customer Success Manager
3 年I am picturing Indiana Jones taking that leap of faith in The Last Crusade. Maybe showing my age there. This article I shared recently had some elements of your concept https://rogermartin.medium.com/why-do-strategy-anyway-355e0e760861 - use these first step opportunities of risk taking as learning experiences, regardless of the success or lack of.