What’s wrong with We always did it that way mindset?
More than a few things are wrong with this We always did it that way way of thinking. Interested to learn more about it? Read this article, then.
“We always did it that way” mentality.
I had more than one client saying this to me. Having this mindset and approach to everything, not wanting to go beyond, try and experience different things. And, more often than not, it was always from a place of fear.
Fear of change, fear of what if it works out, what if it fails..
And I get that. Fear is always a huge part of everything we do and, in some cases, keeps us cautious. However..
The problem with this mindset is that it stops innovation and prevents businesses from adapting to the ever-changing (in my line of work) digital landscape.
Here are a few reasons why clinging to the “We always did it that way” mentality hurt businesses:
Missed Opportunities: By sticking to the same old strategies and techniques, people miss out on emerging trends and opportunities in digital marketing. They fail to embrace new platforms, such as social media, and overlook the potential of content marketing to engage their target audience.
Lack of Differentiation: The market is increasingly competitive, with new businesses emerging and disrupting the industry. However, by sticking to the old mindset, businesses struggle to stand out because their marketing messages and approaches are the same stale and predictable. They fail to differentiate themselves from the competition and, as a result, lose valuable market share as a result.
Ineffective Communication: Consumer preferences and behaviors evolve constantly. By relying on outdated marketing tactics, people and businesses fail to connect with their target audience effectively. Their messaging lacks relevance and fails to address the pain points and desires of their customers.
Falling Behind Competitors: While businesses clung to the familiar, their competitors are embracing new strategies, adopting innovative technologies (ChatGPT anyone?), and engaging with customers through digital platforms. As a result, these competitors are gaining a competitive edge, attracting a larger customer base and leaving said businesses struggling to keep up.
The key takeaway from this story?
Be willing to challenge the “We always did it that way” mentality. Embrace change, innovation, and continuous learning in your marketing efforts. Stay up to date with industry trends, test new strategies, and be open to exploring different avenues. By doing so, you can unlock new opportunities, differentiate your business, and effectively engage with your target audience.
Remember, the only constant in the digital marketing world is change. Embrace it, adapt to it, and watch your business thrive in this dynamic landscape.
On that note, have you ever been in a similar situation and how did you overcome it? Let me know in the comment section.
Patricia BT
Hello Ivana,
I completely agree with you (and I love that you’ve linked to Simon Sinek’s video)
I think it’s a basic human survival instinct: Stay safe, don’t take risks.
I’m lucky enough to be someone who loves to explore new things (and I’ve had to overcome my fears so many times), but I can understand why so many people can’t do that at first. Sometimes they’ll just need our guidance. This applies to business and work related matters, but also to personal matters.
When it comes to business, doing the way it has been done in the past will give the same results (and over time, diminishing ones) as in the past, never better results.
What I do know is that the next time someone tells me “We always did it that way”, I’ll send them the link to this article 🙂
Thank you very much!