If it ain’t broke, that don’t mean it works anymore

‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ is an adage that is now broke and needs fixing. ‘If it ain’t broke, that don’t mean it works anymore’ is perhaps more relevant today. The trick is in understanding when something that still looks and feels like it works is actually no longer fit for purpose.

I wrote that in 2016 about China’s plan to scrap millions of roadworthy but smog-producing cars.

Today, it's a trick that former high-street rockstar The Body Shop seems to have missed.

The BBC quotes retail expert Diane Wherle here as saying: ‘The Body Shop hasn’t actually deteriorated, but it hasn’t moved’.

You get to the top by shaking the tree, and founder Anita Roddick shook an entire rain forest over 50 years ago when she created the sustainable toiletries market. The trouble with getting to the top of the tree though is when you reach the point where further shaking and climbing could really hurt if you fall. And anyway, why keep going when the view out over the canopy is already so lovely? Two comforting reasons to transition from climb to cling.

What The Body Shop needed was a more adaptable mindset, one that isn’t just activated when the platform is burning, but which can move as soon as it detects smoke. The Body Shop was overwhelmed by myriad new entrants into its market. The only good thing about being surrounded by more successful competitors is that every one of them is shouting ‘here, this is what your customers want!’. But to hear that message requires the curiosity to open your mind to what’s changed, the courage to admit that what got you here won’t get you there and the velocity to change direction quickly – but without following the herd. All of which seems to have been three steps too far for The Body Shop.

If, right now, your business feels successful, stable and secure, you have just enough time to ask yourself the question: if you were going to create a strategy to attack your business and beat it into administration, how would you do it? And once you know, do it to them before you don’t work anymore.

Rich Alderton specialises in raising Adaptability Intelligence, so why not call us on 07873 823 800, email us or complete our enquiry form?

And Rich's free e-book 'Mastering Adaptability' is available here.