The Blind Side

There is a good movie that came out a few years back by the same title. It was a feel good story about a young man helped by a family who was able to use his talents and abilities to succeed. He made it to the NFL playing left offensive tackle and being the one who protected the quarterback's "blind side" from oncoming rushers. We need those people in our lives who help protect our blind side, who see the dangers and step in the way in some form to help us not get tackled by things we don't see.

The challenge outside the football arena is that often those things coming at us aren't tangible and so we don't always pay attention to those who are standing in the gap to help. We think they are not seeing it right, making too much of a situation or comment or just not as clear as we are on the issue. Heck, we are making money, life is good and what is going to change that?

Sears. Neiman Marcus. The list could go on with names of companies who surely had someone telling them "a change is coming to the way we do retail!" but they didn't listen. You may work with some left tackles, folks who say there is something coming and yet you see little response or change until the quarterback is taken down...hard.

Neiman Marcus is laying people off but it won't change the fact that retail is done different today. Sears is selling Kenmore appliances on Amazon...until Amazon decides to private label their own appliances once they already have shoppers buying from their site on a regular basis.

I watched a friend of mine run his business through a lease operation with a facility owner. For 2 years, my friend provided a great product and the crowds grew. One day, the facility owner raised the rent so high it was untenable to continue operating there. A few weeks later the landlord was providing the same product to the same crowds and continues to do so several years later. My friend didn't listen when people told him to diversify, to use different facilities and not put his eggs in one basket. He thought he was safe and now has lost his business.

If you have someone protecting your blind side, listen to them. If you are comfortable doing what you've been doing for a long time, consider that a change may be coming and you better start getting ready. If you are growing and getting bigger, remember there is someone smaller and hungry coming after you. As we all know, change is the only constant.

Here's a reminder article of why we need to watch our blind side. https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Retailers-should-rethink-relationship-with-Amazon-11438561.php?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%20Weekly%20Roundup:%20Retail%20Dive%2007-29-2017&utm_term=Retail%20Dive%20Weekender

Jeff Jones is an aspiring peacemaker and servant leader. He has a MA in Conflict Resolution and a BBA in Accounting and a diverse professional background that gives him a practical understanding of conflict and peace in organizations and how it affects both morale and financial issues. Jeff writes and speaks on several topics providing tools to create successful organizations and individuals.  Follow him on Twitter @credibleleader. You can also reach him at [email protected].