Are you thinking like a teenager?

A recent college graduate, when asked about his parents influence on his life remarked,

"When I was a 14 my Dad was dumb as a rock. It was remarkable how much the old guy had learned by the time I graduated college."


Got teenagers?
I bet you do, either in your family or working for you. It is amazing how much they are sure they know about the world. It's amazing how 'right' they are all the time. It's amazing how the universe rotates around them. This closed system of narcisism I call "Teen Think."

It's even more amazing how often we adults think like teenagers. We get so convinced over time that we have all the answers, we squelch new ideas.

Are you exhibiting "Teen Think"?
You might be thinking like a teenager if you catch yourself saying:
"We have a way we do it."
"Why does everyone think they have a better way?"
"There are no good kids these days."

"Did somebody die?"
We are working through major farm market, landscaping, and farm building renovations this year. The changes have been pretty dramatic and our regular customers must have noticed.

Upon walking into our newly re-floored, re-painted, de-cluttered, color-coordinated market, one regular asked, "Did somebody die?"

Her take on the situation was that family businesses don't change unless there is a death in the family! Fortunately, there hasn't been one recently, but the magnitude of the change certainly struck a cord.

The farm market had been the same for so long the only reason to change was death! That is decidedly NOT where you want to be with your business!

It's time to break some long-held conventions in your business this year. The economy is setting expectations among consumers to expect less from local businesses.

This is the prime opportunity for you to make some smart changes in your business, business practices, training, or landscaping to show your cusomters that you are OK and growing to serve them better.

This opportunity might only come around once in a lifetime. A chance to break our habit of "Teen Think"; to challenge the "way things are done" in our business. Grab it!

Have a great week. - Hugh