I read an interesting post by Terry Heaton, about how broadcasters are complaining that they couldn’t see the disruptions they are now experiencing.

My question is, have they checked their water?

  • When the pool gets shallow, people are less likely to dive in.
  • As water gets more murky, people are less likely to drink.
  • The more stagnant the water, the more likely to breed mosquitoes.

It’s applicable to broadcasters and to automakers, industries that ignored decades of trends and advances that changed their markets under them. Instead of measuring the change to understand it, they measured the change as a means to make excuses. Instead of adapting and innovating, those companies are now scrambling and possibly ceasing to be.

Have you checked your water? Are you measuring the right things? Are you prepared to act on those measurements, even if it means straying from your comfort zone?