musings...

Much has been written about the music industry, and how it needs to adapt in order to stay alive.

Most of that has been ignored by the music industry.

We often sit back and tut about how the music industry has got it wrong, and should try and change its business model. But I wonder how many of us could adapt well in the face of a complete melt-down of our normal way of working?

Of course, we have the benefit of being hip-and-trendy social media types, don’t we? Well, maybe, but what would you do if, in your nice cushy number where you sit now, the tables were turned and suddenly it looked like you and your friends might go the way of Raphus cucullatus?

Be honest with yourself for a couple of minutes. What would you do?

Would you hunker down and try to “ride out the wave”?

Or would you survive, because, you know, you’re indispensable?

You know that’s what the music industry is doing, right?

What I’d hope you’d do is never let yourself get into that position in the first place. The music industry have certainly had plenty of potential opportunities to put their house in order, and I am sure they’ll be given a few more yet; if they last that long.

The first thing you can do to avoid obsolescence is be adaptable. Keep your skills sharp, try new things, learn new things. You keep up on your industry trade papers, right? Not got time? How will you know what you competitors are doing, then? How will you work out who’s just around the corner about to upset your world?

How about reading about closely related trades, too? How about just keeping up with tech / woodworking / what-ever-it-is-you-do in general?

“Know thy enemy”, but just remember that your biggest enemy can often be you.

Of course, what I’m really saying to you is keep innovative. Keep evolving. Keep on your toes.

It doesn’t matter if you work for a big multi-national, or for yourself. This affects all of us.

If you’re working for yourself, keep trying to change the world. You are trying to change the world, right?

No, you don’t have to invent the newest and greatest medical procedure, or help world-peace to change the world; I’d be happy if you just made the best damn service or software or widget (you get the idea) that you can in your specific niche. If you already have that, why not be the best damn customer focused organisation in the world? Either way, you’re innovating if you get it right (you’re also innovating if you get it wrong, provided that you know you’ve got it wrong), and be willing to go wherever to do the best by your customers.

So, as I said at the start, I love music, but I don’t buy records or CDs any more; the cost-benefit ratio doesn’t work for me any more (are you listening music companies?) I don’t download illegally either. I just listen to radio. Online, and buy the occasional track I might want. Again, online. I’d like to invite the recording industry to have some of my cash, I’d like to spend, I really would. But now it’s got to be on my terms.

That’s innovation.

Image Credit: Dodo by arminflickr on flickr. Used under creative commons with attribution license.