Susan Solovic - The One Percent Edge - Small Changes That Guarantee Relevance and Build Sustainable Success

Thank you for downloading this
AMACOM eBook.

Sign up for our newsletter, AMACOM BookAlert , and
receive special offers, access to free samples, and
info on the latest new releases from AMACOM,
the book publishing division of
American Management Association.

To sign up, visit our website: www.amacombooks.org

To learn more about the American Management
Association visit: www.amanet.org

The copyright information for this title may be found at the end of this eBook file.

Small Changes That Guarantee Relevance and Build Sustainable Success

SUSAN SOLOVIC

WITH RAY MANLEY

To my wonderful friends and family. You make my life rich.

by Rick Ungar

Ive always been a bit troubled by the adage credited to Benjamin Franklin instructing that in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.

While I admit to a degree of trepidation when it comes to challenging the words of one of our most beloved Founders, I cannot help but note that there is a third certainty that somehow escaped Dr. Franklins pen.

Change.

Since Franklin, himself, was one of our most prolific agents of change, it is somewhat surprising that he omitted this third certainty in life. Whether it is the certainty that seasonal change will bring about the life-and-death cycle of leaves on trees or the now unquestionable reality that fast-paced advancements in technology will alter our society on an hourly basis in ways we could not predict, or even imagine: change will constantly shock, please, and, if you are unprepared, it will irritate and devastate.

Given the ubiquitous, unrelenting, and hazardous nature of change, how can it be that people choose to pretend that this particular force of nature is somehow not happening all around them every moment of every day?

When we go about the daily business of our personal lives, ignoring the constant that is change will often present difficulties that we have not prepared ourselves to confront. The end result is, more often than not, just live and learn.

However, if we allow ourselves to remain ignorant of change when it comes to the operation of our businesses, the end result is often something far more devastating than simply chalking one up to experience. Indeed, the result is often more akin to one of the other certainties of life.

Death.

This is where The One-Percent Edge comes in.

In this indispensable book, crafted for those operating small and large businesses alike, Susan Solovic alerts you to what should be the number-one rule of success in business, or, for that matter, life in general; if you arent keeping up with or getting ahead of change, you are likely falling well behind. Somewhere... somehow... your competitorsincluding those who see themselves as so far ahead that they no longer view you as a competitorare looking deep into the future and are hard at work inventing what will replace your businesss contribution to the world and to your bank account.

But only if you let them.

The bad news is that staying relevant and ahead of the game is not something you can accomplish just by snapping your fingers. By the time you realize theres a problem, its a good bet that youll be late to the game, with your business already lagging behind those who seek to do a better job with whatever it is you do. So, the sooner you learn how to cope with changes in and to your business, the sooner you can set things on a course to great success.

The good news is that in The One-Percent Edge, Susan Solovic gives you the tools to be both proactive and reactive to the changes your business faces every minute of the day, every day of the year. And that edge is going to be the difference between staying one step ahead or falling tragically behind.

Consider how the Polaroid Corporation changed the world with their patented instant camera, based on the remarkable invention by the companys founder, Edward Land. Launched in 1938, the company successfully innovated its way forward in the world of photography by perfecting the inclusion of a darkroom built right inside the camera. So remarkably successful was the companys innovation that Polaroid was achieving annual revenues of $3 billion by 1991and think about how much $3 billion was worth back then.

However, rather than stay abreast and ahead of the digital forces, inventions, and changes that were surrounding them, Polaroid elected to sit back and enjoy the spoils of a one-time innovation... all the way to their first bankruptcy in 2001.

Polaroid had lost its edge.

Keeping that small edge isnt easy. Often, were all too aware that were not keeping pace with the same spirit of innovation that allowed us to create a successful business in the first place. Innovation can easily fall behind as we cope with daily management concerns and the many additional matters that fill our brains and hours as we seek to stay on top of our businesses. We know that innovation is critical to maintaining and growing success, but we cant seem to find the time, inclination, or energy to devote to keeping ahead of change.

That is where the following pages come into play.

While you may think youre simply too busy keeping up with your business to stay ahead of the changes that are constantly coming, I can assure you that staying rooted in the present moment without an eye to the future is a sure way to prove Benjamin Franklin right: you may have only death and taxes to look forward to.

But, again, it doesnt have to be that way.

This book will give you the answers you need to stay on top of your business at the same time youre re-inventing it. You will learn how to keep your current orders coming in while anticipating what your customers will want down the road.

Most important, The One Percent Edge will guide you in the art of recreation at a time when proactive recreation is more critical to your businesss success than it has ever been.

There is no disputing that in todays business world, finding and sustaining just a small edge is a prerequisite for winning.

I think youll find that The One Percent Edge is the roadmap that will guide you to creating that powerful difference for you and your business.

Rick Ungar,

Host of Steele & Ungar, SiriusXM POTUS Channel, and

Sr. Contributor Forbes.com