Seth sheds light on the subject of change.
Well, Deb and I have just spent a week in Hastings on Hudson near NYC with one of the world’s leading marketers Seth Godin.
Deb and I were lucky enough to be invited to join Seth and about 60 other Company Directors from all over the world, The Product Marketing Company was the only UK based business represented at the event.
The range of businesses and markets covered every sector including Publishing, Engineering, Ecommerce, Retail, Music, Charity and non-profit, Online Search engines, Financial and so it went on.
The amazing fact that resonated with us all was the shift in our businesses and how things that once worked are not working any more. Over the week, Seth explained that this was not due to the financial collapse of 2008 but more to do with how the internet and the new online revolution is changing how consumers respond.
The opportunities that this shift is creating are immense, but the way way most businesses will fail to recognise and react to these changes will lead to long term struggle and failure.
It was extraordinary spending time with an executive from a record label as he explained how a whole industry has disappeared – everyone in the room could see the same tell-tale signs.
And then, from out of the doom and gloom came Seth Godin. Internationally recognised as one of the top 50 creative minds of all time, a luminary who succinctly responds to each individual worry raised, pointing out the upside of each situation.
Seth is not only one of smartest people we have ever had the pleasure of meeting, but he is one of the most measured and generous. I would recommend wholeheartedly that you follow his blog to get a taste of his irrepressible spirit.
During our amazing week, we met some incredible people who all had the heart to share their problems, dreams and experiences. It was an intense week of learning with real life experiences being used to explain how we can in fact make real change for the better.
Deb and I have returned to the UK with our very own 'road map'. In time, we aim to publish and share all we have learnt to help our customers and those interested in responding to change, and we look forward to seeing where the road takes us all.
