You know it’s not working when your team isn’t laughing, when your customers aren’t buying, or your marketing isn’t turning views into action. Instead of trying new things to compensate for what isn’t working, try something different. Try NOT doing what isn’t working!
One of the first things I did when I took my job was implement a “no booth” policy. I did not want to stand behind a booth, hand out flyers about my initiatives, and make fake small talk with people as they passed. Not interested. I knew a booth “wasn’t working” so instead of trying to make a booth better (free food, cool swag, etc), I ditched the booth all together. This confused my colleagues and forced me to think of different approaches for each event we were a part of. It was difficult. However, this also freed up financial resources to make better connections that were more strategic and meaningful. It was beneficial for both my office and our clients.
When you’re aiming to improve your initiatives, don’t overlook the fact you may need to let go of the activities that aren’t working. Breaking the habit of “trying to make ‘what isn’t working’ work” is hard, but in the end, you’ll sure to reap the rewards.
Pick of the post: Ingrid Michaelson – Maybe (a great music video)
2 pings
Matt Corker » All Talk, Wrong Action says:
May 16, 2010 at 7:52 pm (UTC -7)
[...] what the “right actions” are, we innately know what doesn’t work. And when we stop doing what doesn’t work we give ourselves the opportunity to find out what [...]
We Know What Doesn’t Work » Matt Corker says:
April 26, 2012 at 3:59 pm (UTC -7)
[...] This week has been a good reminder for me to stop doing what doesn’t work. [...]