Don't Be Obsolete

Science advances rapidly creating new and better technologies at an astounding pace. “The way we always did it” soon becomes “old school” or even obsolete. Change is necessary for companies to stay current so they can use the best practices and most efficient technologies to provide superior products and services to their customers. Indeed, change is required for companies to be vital, healthy, competitive and successful.

Companies need leaders who can take advantage of emerging trends in their industry as well as their area of technical expertise. Leaders who can work outside of the box, revisit the way we’ve always done it, break the mold, and lead the organization to success. Our job as leaders is to use our positive energies to solve problems, to find better ways of doing things, to use the best current technologies for any given situation, and to develop new ways to satisfy customer demands. But you simply won't be able to do that if you allow yourself to become technically, professionally or managerially obsolete.

You must stay current. You must make a concerted effort to devote a certain amount of time for your own technical and professional development.

In terms of technology, what are the latest trends in your industry? What are the most recent innovations being made by your competitors? How can you apply new technology to make your company the leading innovator?

In terms of professionalism, what are the latest trends in your area of professional expertise (production, quality, design, finance, customer service, engineering, marketing, accounting, human resources, purchasing, materials handling, transportation, and so forth)? Which trends are working and which trends are not? What are the latest trends in management? Which management theories are working, and which ones are not?

Which trade journals do you read? Which professional societies do you belong do? What news sources, magazines, websites and blogs keep you current? Which trade shows do you attend? Which classes and seminars have you taken in the past 6 months?

What are the latest trends in science and technology and how can you adapt those innovations to your needs? What are the latest trends in other industries? What innovations are they implementing? Which of those innovations can you adapt to your industry?

If you can't answer the above questions on a current basis my friend, you are in danger of rapidly becoming obsolete. Indeed, its becoming evident in some industries such as information technologies that students receiving a degree on this very day are in danger of becoming obsolete tomorrow.


About me: Dan Pelley is an educator specializing in management training and development programs for supervisors and other first-line managers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Today he is working on upgrading his "Thriving on Change" 6-hour program to be presented in Eastford, CT next week. This post resulted from that work.

Copyright © 2009 Daniel W. Pelley
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