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How to Stay Ahead of the Curve

Posted by on 25 June 2015
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By: Scott Steinberg

So much for the status quo'research confirms what most already
suspect: Continuous change is the new norm in business. Happily, in today's highly-disruptive
world, innovation is just another word for improvisation'and anyone can adapt
to new and novel problems the same way leading innovators do:
By studying problems, brainstorming original solutions, then
steadily trying and improving as they go. To thrive in fast-changing times, change
with them; to future-proof yourself, become more flexible. Organizations like
Amazon and Google create competitive advantage by consistently experimenting
with and learning from new ideas. Individuals succeed more frequently by
thinking fast on their feet and resiliently forging ahead despite setbacks, not
possessing greater IQ or inborn talent.
Today, winning isn't about having more resources, rather
being more resourceful; getting ahead not about being a genius, but more ingenious
instead. To succeed in unpredictable environments, you've got to find the
courage to take chances. In uncertain
times, everyone wants to be risk-free. Instead, you can create competitive
advantage by being risk-averse'recognizing that change is coming, and making
smart, calculated, and cost-affordable bets that can help you gain the
insights, talents or capabilities today that will be in-demand tomorrow.
Whatever your stated goal, pick a portfolio of promising growth
activities to try'launch a new product line or re-launch an existing one;
attend night school or take online computer programming courses'and start
pursuing them immediately. Just don't sit still while times, trends and
competitors are also evolving. Staying ahead of the curve is easier than it sounds,
as long as you're staying in constant motion.
About the Author: Award-winning
professional speaker Scott Steinberg is a bestselling expert on leadership and
innovation, and the author of Make Change Work for You: 10 Ways to Future-Proof
Yourself, Fearlessly Innovate, and Succeed Despite Uncertainty. Among today's
leading providers of keynote speeches, workshops and seminars for Fortune 500
firms, his website is www.AKeynoteSpeaker.com.

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