If you work for a winery, importer, brand, or wholesaler that continues to do things “the way we’ve always done it” then maybe you’re the one fighting for change.
Change is a big word, and a scary word to many. It threatens the status quo. It puts those that have been in the decision making positions for years on the spot. It often involves far more than just adjusting a few things here and there.
If you are dedicated to being the change agent, here are a few hints:
- You actually don’t need thick skin, contrary to popular belief. What you do need is to know ahead of time who you respect and trust (which has nothing to do with rank or title or who’s the boss).
- Changes of any sort can always be done in a small way or in an incubator, but be careful if those in power are forcing changes to be experimental only. In other words, at some point, bigger decision have to be made.
- Changing process is one thing. Changing people is another. Know what you’re actually trying to change first.
- There’s no better way to induce change than to have other people come up with the idea. You don’t have to be the person holding the matches. Far better to be the one blowing on the embers to make the fire bigger.