Change is coming, period…

Relient K put out another home run with their new album release.  It’s titled, Forget and Not Slow Down.  I’m not sure where the title came from but I’m certain it’s got something to do with what they’ve been going through.  My favorite track…

Candlelight.

The reviews on the new release are somewhat mixed.  A bunch of their old fans are feeling that the new one is too different from their old sound.  I would agree…

That the sound is different.  

However, I like it.  I always wait to form an opinion on a new sound until I’ve listened to it at least half a dozen times and studied the lyrics. I’m not sure that the Band cares that much about what I think.  Very cool.

Wouldn’t it be great if your fans gave you the same long listen and benefit of the doubt.  The truth is that most of my clients are playing it safe.  They don’t want to rock their boat.  They are afraid of what others might think.  They just play it down the middle.  Do what the last generation mostly did.  Do what they’ve mostly always done.  Do exactly what the old boss would expect them to do.  Do what their “fans” have been buying and hope they keep it up.  

Buying, that is.

A few crazies take a different route.  This is not the route well traveled.  This one has a few more turns and a bunch more risks.  Quick deaths are not all that uncommon on this trail.  Surprisingly, so are the rebirths.  Huh?

Transformational leaders deeply change their system.  They try out a new “sound” because they have a sense and trust it.  They do not wait for lagging indicators to tell them it’s time for a change.  They are inspired and passionate and changing, by nature.  Amazingly they care about their customers but not to the point of being paralyzed.  

No panic.  No paralysis.  Nope.  Instead…

Candlelight.

Change is coming, period.  Normal systems wait for someone or something outside the system to jolt them out of equilibrium.  The outside jolt is coming.  AND, sadly, the outside jolt is not the one you want.  Want proof?  Study any acquisition and study how often the “jolt” works the way Wall Street advertised.  The truth…

Next to NEVER.

What would CLIF be today, if Gary hadn’t risked it all with a crazy chick bar?  Would Luna have a festival with another name?  

What would Patagonia be if Yvonne worried about making an $80 dollar, non stinky wool tee?  

If American Apparel played it safe would we still have any American company making American clothing?

What’s your vision for your collection?

Are you playing it safe or playing it exactly the way you want?

Tell me more, my friend.

Tell me more…