The Business of Change - Now Faster than Ever

In a recent blog post, author/consultant Brian Solis writes about the theory of 'Digital Darwinism' - that is, the period when technology and society evolve faster than the ability to adapt.

It's a fascinating and bar-worthy topic, but it isn't altogether new. TIME Magazine was asking a similar question 12 years ago, with its suggestion "Perhaps what civilization needs is a NOT-SO-FAST button." And even just three years ago, "Digital Darwinism" was being used as a headline for a piece that suggested that "companies across the ecosystem have to acquire or develop three dominant traits to survive: relevance, interactivity, and accountability."

In his post, Solis notes a study describing the faster liquidation of companies that once were, but are no longer. He writes:
"The author cited a study published in the book "Built to Change" by Edward E. Lawler and Christopher G. Worley. The study found that between 1973 and 1983, 35 percent of the top companies in the Fortune 1000 companies were new to the list. Over the next decade from 1983 to 1993, churn jumped to 45 percent, and then soared again to an astounding 60 percent between 1993 and 2003.

If the current trend continues, over 70 percent of Fortune 1000 companies will turnover from 2003 to 2013. As the author observes, “In other words, over 3/4ths of the existing captains of industry will fall from their throne.”

That's a swift evolution! Solis maintains that it takes more than jockeying around in social media to keep one's company at the top of its game. His end note is... "It takes courage. It takes persistence to break through resistance. Everything starts with articulating a vision for how your business will invest in customer relationships and experiences. From there, technology, processes, and systems will serve as enablers for that vision. In the end however, it is leadership and an empowered culture that will bring about transformation."

Clear words, solid vision and smarts all around. Now's not the time for dithering. Laser focus and insights, followed by action and momentum, will win the business battle. Rally round the flag, boys!