Why Embracing Change is Critical to Business Success

Facebook Business

March 11, 2019

Three and a Half Degrees, an original podcast series by Facebook, brings together unexpected pairings of business leaders, mavericks and entrepreneurs who share surprising parallels in values, visions, experiences and ideas. Hosted by David Fischer, Facebook’s VP of Business and Marketing Partnerships, this podcast series shares common lessons learned when building new businesses in today’s age of connectivity. Tune in to hear stories of challenges and triumphs, get inspired by innovative entrepreneurs and learn from the common practices, insights and motivations of successful business leaders.

Think about the vanishing local video store. While some change is difficult or even threatening to certain businesses, if they want to last, businesses must learn to embrace change and innovate. In this week's episode of Three and a Half Degrees, we connect business executive Beth Comstock and physicist and entrepreneur Suzanne Gildert. Together, they discuss how the ways they respond to and embrace change actually propel their businesses forward.

They tackle this through the example of artificial intelligence (AI) and the role this new technology may play in the future of work. Gildert and Comstock acknowledge that AI can be both exciting and intimidating, but emphasize that the power of AI lies in its potential to unlock creativity and innovation in business. In a fascinating discussion rich with insights, they offer three ways you can learn to leverage new technologies to keep pace with consumer demands and remain competitive in your market.

1. Get comfortable with change

It's natural to be afraid of the unknown, but getting comfortable with the idea that change in business is both empowering and critical can help you embrace new ideas and technologies, instead of shying away. Staying up to speed with and experimenting with new technologies early on will enable you to test and learn quickly, making adoption of new tech less intimidating.

2. Stay focused on your business goals

While there will always be a “next big thing,” not every new technology is right for your business. Be sure to remain focused on your business' mission and view any new technology through the lens of achieving that mission.

3. Seek new perspectives

Be open to new ideas. Actively seek out innovators in order to gain exposure to what other businesses are thinking about and anticipate changes that may impact your business down the road. This may not only reveal opportunities for growth, but also reveal possible ways to combine strategies and tackle challenges in more creative ways.

Check out the episode to learn more about the importance of embracing change and the power of AI.

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