Hanging On To Old Habits May Be a Good Thing
Posted by TPS on 06/26/09 in Business
My dad has operated his own home-based business for over thirty years. He still runs it basically the same way that he ran it when he first started it. I always used to think that this was ridiculous. Things have changed a lot since then. However, I’ve recently started to see the benefit of hanging on to those old ways.
I can definitely see ways the new advances in technology might make businesses want to change their practices. For example, a lot of restaurants have decided to rely on GPS instead of delivery maps to find the places that they’re delivering to. Another example is that businesses are now collecting customer demographics information through anonymous online surveys rather than trying to talk to every customer that comes through the door.
So it’s not that I think I was totally wrong about the benefits of updating your business. It’s just that I’ve started to see the value of simplicity. Dad’s business works. It doesn’t make millions of dollars but it makes him happy. Trying to deal with new technology and new processes of working would only frustrate him. Since he owns his business by himself, it’s really not necessary for him to advance in the way that larger businesses have. I’m starting to think that’s okay by me.
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Athena | Jul 16, 2009 | Reply
It’s definitely hard to try and expand a business on your own, especially if you’re not a big company. I do admire your father’s dedication. Congrats on the 30+ years!
Sheila | Jul 16, 2009 | Reply
Wow, 30 years? That’s quite admirable. Especially in this society that’s constantly upgrading. I’m glad that simplicity still works for your father.
Lia | Jul 16, 2009 | Reply
Yes, I agree. Although we live in a constantly evolving society and economy, it doesn’t mean that all business have to adapt to that evolution.
Great post!
Joanne | Jul 16, 2009 | Reply
I used to think that all businesses should evolve with the times and technology. But eventually I realized that some of the best businesses I patronize are those that do not succumb to all those technological advances.
Dionne | Jul 16, 2009 | Reply
It’s cool when some establishments don’t always try to rush and keep up with the new technologies. They’re the perfect places to go to when you just want to slow down.