Mindset: Have a Rethink

The ability to rethink a problem and/or situation is more important than ever. The practice of thinking differently is not always welcomed but those who embrace it know the value to both individual and team success.

This quote from Bill Gates resonated with me when I came across it a few years ago. Given the past few years and changes that continue ahead of us, it is more important than ever to practice it.

Thinking differently involves being true to yourself, strong in your choices and open with your views. It might come across as being against the status quo. It happens all around us but changing our minds can be very difficult.

A simple test to recognize if thinking differently is in motion- common phrases such as, "we've never done it that way before" or "that won't work here" or "you're moving faster than where we're currently at." Stay the course for it matters.

From a sales perspective, rethinking occurs when being present in the moment leads to new ways of tackling a problem(s) or solution(s). A few ways below are ways to think differently that have worked.

1. Act like a researcher: Separate the emotion from the data and use the sources of information in new ways.
2. Embrace creativity: Push through negative thoughts and rather embrace "what if" scenarios from the situation(s) and/or problem(s) at hand.
3. Keep an open mind: Open the door to new ideas and recognize if the natural instinct for something new is to slam the door shut.
4. Seek out contradictory viewpoints: Seek out data through evidence that contradicts your beliefs and try to understand opposite viewpoints.
5. Practice brainwriting instead of brainstorming: Adam Grant has this concept of rethinking human connection especially in remote and hybrid work when it comes to brainstorming. Grant says that the practice of brainwriting is more production where the team is given a prompt in advance of a meeting and individuals generate ideas independently prior to it.

Local family-owned furniture store-

1. Act like a researcher- New generation of leadership notices buying habit changes from traditional clientele through review of its data.
2. Embrace creativity- Instead of staying the course with what's worked for decades, the "what if" approach of targeting current clientele differently is explored including new targets.
3. Keep an open mind- Generational support from families through word of mouth has always worked just fine. The approach of building upon what's worked to grow share into new avenues can work as well.
4. Seek out contradictory evidence- Reading books about the globalization of America's furniture business and the impact on local and regionally family-owned furniture stores. Lessons learned and what lessons can be gained.
5. Practice brainwriting instead of brainstorming- Team members generate ideas on how to gain market share and growth prior to a meeting. New concepts such as local media marketing solutions across multiple distribution platforms including on-air, online and mobile are identified especially when it comes to television and digital.

Company rethink statement:? The local family-owned furniture store is losing market share compared to larger furniture chains domestically and internationally given the sped up impact of globalization. Because the local family furniture store has relied on past success metrics alone, it has not seized growth among its customer base nor targeted new customers. The opportunities exist to try new avenues to expand the business and gain market share.

I hope that question and the topic was helpful. It tackles both the concept of rethinking and ways to utilize it.

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DP