“Change” is a word we all know is easy to say, but hard to do. The very word has an extremely negative connotation to many people. Stress, disappointment, embarrassment, failure are all feelings that seem to accompany “change.” However, in this game called “life”, change is the very element that can spark new ideas, victories, and long term success.
Several years ago I was managing a very high profile racing property at one of the largest NASCAR tracks in the sport. Over the years, the company I was working for had built a fully-integrated promotional event that was fresh, cutting edge and right in the “bulls eye” for fan engagement. It had all-star athletes/celebrities, a mix of both sport & music, and was the type of event many companies would “kill” to have in their arsenal. That said, the event started to become “stale” and “status quo”, words that you really don’t want associated with anything you do. The biggest challenge was just entertaining a “mind set of openess” for change. Past victories and successes do not “guarantee” the same for the future.
After several very difficult discussions with all the key stakeholders for the event, it was decided to “totally change” the look and feel of the event while carefully maintaining the successful brand equity and expectations that the fan(s) had grown to expect.
The key learning from this entire situation is to NOT be afraid of “change”, but to embrace it. After all, as we say at Cox Group….“Change is part nature….part opportunity”
Until next time.
