Microsoft will Ditch its Own Tech in Favor of Rival Google — Here’s What it Means to Your Business

If you haven’t heard this news, that’s okay. It’s really a niche story but it does make a very important point. Here’s the short version. Microsoft tried to create its own web browser to replace Internet Explorer. It’s known as “Edge.” And, the code behind it has proven too troublesome. So, the software giant will build a new web browser-based on the technology Google uses to power Chrome.

What it Really Means to Reinvent the Wheel

Let’s get to the real meat of this cliché. Like many other adages, it’s a truism. The reason people say it is precisely because it is an unavoidable fact. It makes a very blunt point. That is, the wheel already serves a purpose and there’s no need to try to come up with something better because it works so well.

The general public typically has a distorted view of entrepreneurship. They think of visionary leaders who created something no one had ever seen before and became household names in the process. While it’s true that some figures have achieved this level of notoriety, the reality for 99 percent of entrepreneurs is very different. Their success is based not on creating an earth-shattering new product from scratch, but on learning what their customers want, making user-centric adjustments to existing products or services and providing it for them.
—Inc.com

We’ve all heard the saying more than one time. But, it still alludes business leaders who believe they can do “it” better, whatever “it” might well be. Call it hubris or stubbornness, it can get the best of the best.

How Entrepreneurs can Avoid the Reinventing the Wheel Trap

So, how does one avoid the temptation to reinvent the wheel in business? It’s not simple because the urge is so very strong to come up with the next big thing. Here are three ways to avoid the reinventing the wheel trap:

  • Take a step back. If you feel the compunction to try to reinvent the wheel, take a step back look at the big picture. Take a deep breath and think about how to incorporate what you need that already exists instead of trying to come up with something new.
  • Ask for team member input. Okay, here’s another cliché, “two heads are better than one.” And, it’s also a truism. Getting different perspectives and points of view can really work wonders.
  • Apply your existing resources. You might already have the tools on-hand to accomplish what’s needed. Put those to good use rather than putting a lot of extra time and effort into something which might not pay off.

How do you avoid the urge to reinvent the wheel? What practices work best? Which steps can other entrepreneurs take to avoid this mistake? Please, comment and give us your experiences!

Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

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Discarded napkin test

Have You Tried the Discarded Napkin Test?

October 29, 2017 No Comments

Have you tried the discarded napkin test? Perhaps you’ve never heard of it because it isn’t an actual thing. But, this simple sociological experiment does reveal some fascinating insight into how we perceive others and gauge various environments. Don’t bother Googling it, you won’t find any on-point results. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not useful. Try the Discarded Napkin Test for Yourself The discarded napkin test is a simple one. And, it clearly demonstrates the importance of appearance. Here it is: go into a casual restaurant prior to the lunch hour rush. Crumple a clean napkin and place it on a clean but empty table. Sit nearby and watch how many people past the “tainted” table up for another. Eventually, if there’s no more tables available, someone will muster the courage to clean it off. Or, give into the frustration of the limited seating options and swipe it to the floor. Many workplaces have dress codes, particularly workplaces in industries in which image is highly valued and workplaces in which employees have regular face-to-face contact with customers. Whether you are considering setting a dress code for an existing workplace or trying to decide whether your new retail store will require employees to adhere to a dress code, consider the broad benefits and potential drawbacks — like backlash from casual-dressing employees — of such a move. —Houston Chronicle The point is, people will choose to sit elsewhere even when the only flaw with a table is a discarded napkin. That’s it. Its unpleasing appearance is enough to turn off person after person. Although a bit strange, it’s true. And, it begs the question — are employee dress codes good or bad? Employee Dress Codes Pros and Cons Okay, so there are a number of dumb office rules that drive employees crazy. But, some make sense to enforce. When it comes to employee dress codes, it’s not always cut and dry. This means, while an employee dress code can actually be a good policy, it can also be a bad idea. Here are some employee dress code pros and cons to consider: Pro — professional appearance. The single biggest benefit of an employee dress code is it provides a professional appearance. It’s especially useful in retail settings and offices. In the former, uniforms distinguish employees while the latter, business casual provides a professional yet laid back experience. Con — stifles personal style. Although a dress code does provide a more professional experience, it also can stifle personal style. That can mean rebellion, particularly in an office setting. Team members might feel an imposition and possibly a bit untrusted. Pro — provides “uniform” experience. Of course, you’d like your business to send a uniform message, which uniforms undeniably provide. However, in an office setting, this is a little more problematic. But, broad rules with clear prohibitions usually works well. Con — needs consistent policing. Now, the biggest downside of any dress code is the need to police it constantly and consistently. Otherwise, it’s just a suggestion and not enforced policy. At least, that’s the way employees will feel. What other pros and cons of employee dress codes have you experienced? Do you favor a strict dress code or a loose one? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

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Now is the Perfect Time to Plan for the Next Big Disruption

July 13, 2020 No Comments

Pandemics, natural disasters, and other unfortunate events might be a rarity, but they do happen. While it’s certainly possible we may not experience a major event in the near future, it’s irresponsible to ignore the possibility. After all, there’s an undeniable truth to the old adage, “Better safe than sorry.” Even if it is only a minor occurrence, being prepared is just plain smart. Fortune Favors the Prepared You’ve no doubt heard the expression, “Fortune favors the prepared.” The reason it’s been around so long, is because it’s proven true time and time again. When you have a plan in-place, you’re much less likely to panic. Stress and anxiety are very powerful emotions which can cause you to make rash decisions. And, everyone knows that making decisions in a rush often leads to worsening already bad situations. Today’s business landscape has several unique features, which will add new complexities on top of the historical playbook. This makes it important for business leaders to prepare for the specific circumstances of the next downturn, as well as exploiting the right lessons from the past. —Harvard Business Review So, knowing what you’re going to do in advance provides you with an immense advantage. You’ll be able to follow along a predetermined path. At the very least, you’ll have parameters in-place to help guide you, should your plan not be totally applicable. Planning for the Next Big Disruption We’ve already gone over some of these points before, but most, if not all, warrant repeating. When you prepare, it’s much easier to take decisive action, virtually eliminating the need to debate a course of action. Here are some helpful tips for how to plan for the next unplanned event: Ready your team for truly remote capabilities. When the impact of the novel coronavirus was foreboding and uncertain, precautionary steps were the only responsible thing to do. If you allowed your employees to work from home, they did so on the fly. And, since reopening, might have returned part- or full-time to the office. However, they probably did not have and still don’t have all the necessary resources to truly work remotely. Put those tools in place now and this will offer you a more seamless transition if needed in the future. Prepare your place of business. We previously discussed protecting a business from vandalism. Although this is unpleasant to think about, it is something that you should plan for. Having the right security and structural preparedness is a necessity to limit damage caused by vandalism. Additionally, you should have prevention and recovery tools in place for other events, like natural disasters, criminal activity, and other unfortunate events. Streamline your organization. Due to the global pandemic and subsequent shutdowns, many businesses furloughed or outright terminated employees. But, expenses remained, despite a marked decrease or near complete cutoff of earnings. While you may have made some temporary adjustments or even cut some expenses out altogether, now is an ideal time to re-examine your operations, pinpointing duplication, inflated expenses, and other unnecessary elements. The overall point being, even if you managed to pull through this last disruption, you may not be able to do so again. Now is an ideal time to plan ahead put in place measures so they are ready to go at a moment’s notice. What other suggestions do you have getting prepared? Please, take a moment to share your thoughts and experiences by commenting and benefiting others! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

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