You know what the problem with conventional wisdom is? It relies on someone else's conventions. Okay, so 100 people are doing it this certain way. Conventional wisdom tells us that we should do it the same way because obviously their method is working for them. Well gee golly! If we all thought that way, we would never create anything new or revolutionary.
I'm a little past tired of hearing people refer to processes and our need to support those processes as "conventional wisdom." I'm thinking we need some "revolutional wisdom." So it's working, is it? Great! Is it getting better? No? Then it's broken in my book. Let's strive to improve everything rather than being content when something is just okay.
I'm a little past tired of hearing people refer to processes and our need to support those processes as "conventional wisdom." I'm thinking we need some "revolutional wisdom." So it's working, is it? Great! Is it getting better? No? Then it's broken in my book. Let's strive to improve everything rather than being content when something is just okay.
Advertising
"Well, we don't really need to waste any money on that. We've always done business based on word-of-mouth advertising from our customers." Ever heard that one? I find it to be one of the more popular managerial delusions. Yes, 20 years ago, when you were the only shop in town, everyone went on and on about how great you were. Now you have five competitors, you can no longer beat them on price, and (unlike them) you're still running your shop like you did 20 years ago. Be sure to keep your store clean. It'll increase the selling price when one of those guys buys you out.
"Well, we don't really need to waste any money on that. We've always done business based on word-of-mouth advertising from our customers." Ever heard that one? I find it to be one of the more popular managerial delusions. Yes, 20 years ago, when you were the only shop in town, everyone went on and on about how great you were. Now you have five competitors, you can no longer beat them on price, and (unlike them) you're still running your shop like you did 20 years ago. Be sure to keep your store clean. It'll increase the selling price when one of those guys buys you out.
Instruction/Teaching
"You know, we should treat every kid the same because we sure didn't like it when our peers were given more attention because they were smarter than us in school." This makes top-tier educators feel all warm and cuddly inside, and the dumb kids' parents are freaking out with glee. What you think is a revolutionary idea is nothing more than repackaged old rhetoric where everyone is the same and should have the same abilities, which is a steaming load of poop. People are different. Some are smart, some aren't. Some will run Fortune 500 companies, some will dig ditches. Why do we have a problem with that? We need both groups and everyone in between. Stop trying to placate people, and start accepting and embracing our wonderful differences - you know, the things that make us not mindless robot drones.
"You know, we should treat every kid the same because we sure didn't like it when our peers were given more attention because they were smarter than us in school." This makes top-tier educators feel all warm and cuddly inside, and the dumb kids' parents are freaking out with glee. What you think is a revolutionary idea is nothing more than repackaged old rhetoric where everyone is the same and should have the same abilities, which is a steaming load of poop. People are different. Some are smart, some aren't. Some will run Fortune 500 companies, some will dig ditches. Why do we have a problem with that? We need both groups and everyone in between. Stop trying to placate people, and start accepting and embracing our wonderful differences - you know, the things that make us not mindless robot drones.
Need more examples?
The Earth is flat.
Those silly flying machines will never catch on.
Smoking isn't bad for you.
[Insert racial stereotype here.]
Bottom line: Conventional wisdom is an oxymoron. Think outside the box. Don't stop improving or at least seeking opportunities to do so. When all is said and done, the last thing I want anyone to say about me is "well, he did it just like everyone else." I can think of no poorer eulogy.
The Earth is flat.
Those silly flying machines will never catch on.
Smoking isn't bad for you.
[Insert racial stereotype here.]
Bottom line: Conventional wisdom is an oxymoron. Think outside the box. Don't stop improving or at least seeking opportunities to do so. When all is said and done, the last thing I want anyone to say about me is "well, he did it just like everyone else." I can think of no poorer eulogy.