Navigating the Dynamic Forces of Change
The mind boggling KES 1.8 trillion national government’s budget for the next one year, outlines the government’s expenditure during the period. The focus this time is spending towards enhancing security; easing the high cost of living; creating employment opportunities, especially among youth and women; improving efficiency in public expenditure; channeling more resources towards development at the local level and finally protecting the poor and vulnerable. These are noble causes, whose achievement contributes greatly to national prosperity.
Alongside, the income side of the budget sketches out the sources of financing the outlined needs. This income is largely drawn from us through the taxation process. Needless to venture into the various tax regimes, some business sectors will be taxed more than others. Naturally, this taxation which is a foremost economic factor, presents threats and opportunities to business continuity.
The tourism sector for example has been given a lifeline through reduced taxation. The construction sector on the other hand, will feel the full weight of 10 – 25 % increase in import duty on steel and iron. The resulting taxation impact could have a ripple effect on varying business sectors, especially the SMEs. Rents could go up for example.
Combining this with the impact of globalization, technological advancements and high levels of competition, ensures that business is constantly at war with the forces of change. It becomes survival for only those fit, thus able to cope with these inevitable forces. Luckily, these occasionally disheartening experiences can now be humbled. However, we may need to get back to the business basics. This may be possible if you can allow me to share some life changing ideas, associated with swimming.
As I continued maturing in the rural areas, it reached a stage whereby, I become the family errand boy. I was required to frequently traverse, between our home and that of our maternal grandma, the only surviving grandparent. Our homes were separated by two directly opposite and expansive ranges. In between is a fast flowing river that inevitably created two worlds at least for the two families.
There were two routes to Grandma’s home, whose farmland stretched up-to the river bank. On one hand was the rural road that had a bridge, meant for both human and vehicle traffic. It meandered round and round to the extent of doubling the one way distance, to something like 10 km.
The other route was straight forward and shorter by about 5 km. However, there was the inconvenience or risk of having to cross the river, for those courageous enough. That route was naturally out of bounds for children of my age. It was therefore a matter of taking the longer route, whenever attending to the errands.
Over time though, the longer winding route became frustrating. This encouraged me to secretly learn how to swim at an early age, at least by the standards of those days. I could occasionally sneak to the river and join the bigger boys, who had already learnt how to conquer this water monster. By Class 5, I could comfortably cross or swim across the river. Thereafter, the recurrent errands presented less challenges.
Ever since, swimming has always been very exciting. Further, it is a source of numerous invaluable lessons. Apart from being a highly refreshing activity, you can never forget how to swim. Secondly, a good swimmer can do it for long hours without tiring, as long as different styles are applied. Thirdly, a good swimmer can navigate around whatever objects obstructing his/her path in water.
Fifthly, a good swimmer can easily fetch objects that have fallen or been thrown into deep waters. Sixthly, a good swimmer can help safe lives of those threatened with drowning. Finally, a good swimmer enables others to swim, thus ensuring the continuity of this pleasurable activity.
Nevertheless, swimming in the river can never be compared to that in the calm waters of a swimming pool, where I enjoy the experience today. These rivers are many times home to objects such as under surface rocks, which may not be easily detectable. Other impediments include whirlpools, which can easily derail or trap a swimmer. Worse still, torrents or fast moving water, pose occasional danger to swimmers. In that regard, expertise, alertness and especially maneuver skills are no doubt necessary whenever swimming in rivers.
These invaluable swimming competencies no doubt compare well with what is required, in conquering the dynamic and sometimes volatile business environment. Why? Business anywhere exists somewhere. It exists in the economic, geographical, and technological situations amongst others. Furthermore, we encounter threats and opportunities of doing business in the same environments. In addition, exploiting those opportunities can be enjoyable when the benefits last, the challenges notwithstanding.
Alongside, the intricate forces of competition, which include changing customer needs, new entrants and related products amongst others, present combative situations. They will hardly allow anyone to enjoy the benefits of doing business unchallenged. Compared to swimming, these forces resemble the undersurface rocks, torrents and whirlpools. Coping with these forces calls for skills similar to those of swimming in rivers. They could actually be handy in successfully achieving desired business goals and objectives.
In this regard, we conceived a uniquely developed Business Growth/Modern Market Navigation Strategy Solution a while ago. It helps business to clearly comprehend the intricate workings of the forces of competition. More importantly, it helps business to work around the forces of change, thus continue acquiring high profitability as well as growth opportunities. This naturally means circumventing these volatile dynamics of the forces of competition.
It is now possible for business to swim its way to success. Indeed, business can continually overcome the threats and challenges presented by the forces of change. It will also exploit emergent opportunities at the same time. The solution works exactly like the process of swimming in a river.
Considering some insights from Musa (name changed), an SME executive, who has acquired a new business focus, could be helpful. Overwhelmed by the stiff competition that seriously threatened his distribution company, Musa sought expert guidance. Doing things the same way and achieving the same less than desirable results, was no longer tenable. Thus, they experienced a package of the strategic planning process, together with his senior team.
This was followed by the Business Growth/Market Navigation Strategy workshop. The latter brought out clear understanding of the intricate workings of the forces of change. It also provided guides on how to exploit the opportunities thereon, for the distributorship business.
Soon after, Musa volunteered, “thanks for this far we have come, even though we still have far to go. But, we have made significant progress on knowledge, skills and strategy formulation fronts. What remains now is the implementation process. We are ready to roll.”
Two (2) months after internalizing the whole process, Musa volunteered further; “prior to the workshops, we were relying on our business plan, which seemed not to have been working as desired. Going forward, we will now be guided by our newly formulated strategy map. …. We wish to confirm that our business focus and model have now changed for good. More importantly, we are now aware of how to confidently navigate through the competition, as we continue building on our market share. Thank you indeed, for the practical insights, strategies and competences gained that are now part our business.”
As observed, balancing the national budget makes the government to continually fork out revenue from the business community. That combined with other forces of change could engage business in energy sapping combat. These forces of competition, which are akin to obstacles in a fast flowing river, can now be conquered. The best strategy is to learn how to consistently work around the dynamics of the competition. Like Musa confesses, it is possible for each business to gain its distinctive competences that help, in successively navigating through these inevitable forces of change.