I wrote a post yesterday that managed a feature. The premise of the post is simply this: Slow and steady wins the race... NOT!
And it is the truth... Slow and Steady is NOT a formula for winning races. It sounds nice, and it has fable support, but it isn't the way to get ahead and win.
But there are two things that need to be added.
- Speed has to be used as a tactic and part of a strategy.
- Speed and recklessness are not the same thing.
Many folks confuse tactics and strategy. Strategy is a long term vision. As a real estate agent, my goal is to dominate my service area. My strategy is to leverage Web 2.0 technologies like blogging and media rich experiences to help connect with consumers in the area I work. I will multiplex that with face-to-face, print and other mediums to make people aware of the online presence... (how "business school" did that sound?). Tactically, I am writing blog posts that are keyword rich, and relevnt to the readers in the area I service. Professional video, amatuer video, embedded presentations, high quality photos and other entertaining and informative media are tools I use for the tactical impact. Tactically, I am using targeted print ads that will drive traffic to the blog. Tactically, I am metting with people that can help spread the word... and drive traffic to the website.
Strategically, I endeavor to be on the front side of the technology wave. I won't hang out right at the bloody edge, but I want to be seen as an early adopter.
Tactically, I am deploying these products individually to meet the strategic goal.
So, how does this relate to the previous post?
Simple... Kind of. In racing, the goal is to win the race. The strategy varies, but usually involves driving really fast... and in NASCAR, turing left... The tactics vary widely depending on the situation. But at NO point is the strategy or tactics slow and steady wins the race. It might be to hang back on turn entry (going slower than possible) in order to pull out a run coming off of the turn. It might be to slow down in a particular turn complex in order to save the tires. But the tactical goal is always the same... As fast as possible and as slow as necessary.
We need to deploy technology that benefits our consumers as fast as possible... because it is a benefit to them in their search or sale. And we need to do it as slow as necessary... so that we aren't using unreasonably unreliable technologies, or gimmicks that won't really work, and are just a waste of time/money.
Sometimes we will go too fast, wasting time or money... Sometimes we will go to slow, wasting opportunity.
The winner of the race is the person that made the fewest mistakes, AND averaged the highest speed!
Diamond Dwellings is working on being the team that fields the winners...
;^ )
Unless otherwise noted, all content of this blog is the property of Lane Bailey, ©2012 Lane Bailey.
I'd love to hear from you...
