“It’s a Problem When It’s a Problem”
Anticipating a problem before it exists is an excellent way to avoid unnecessary expense and business interruption. Truly, “a stitch in time saves nine,” but you need balance.
There is an undeniable advantage to being first to market, and that advantage can be lost if you are buried in ‘analysis paralysis’.
“If you see ten troubles coming down the road, you can be sure that nine will run into the ditch before they reach you.” Calvin Coolidge.
Larry the Cable Guy understands business: “Get ‘er done.”
If you have the core parts ready to launch a business initiative, go ahead and launch it. The feedback you receive from early adopters will be enlightening. In addition, you’ll earn revenue faster, and build more support for the initiative within your organization as a result.
Also, you might learn that features or functionality you thought were needed, actually aren’t. That will save money and result in providing something that delivers what your customers actually want instead of what you thought they wanted.
“Don’t overbuild”
If you think of the marketplace as a battlefield, you send the Marines in first to seize control. They sleep on the ground and eat out of cans.
Support staff like engineers, architects, cooks and accountants all show up later to build the buildings and create the permanent infrastructure once the immediate objectives have been reached.
Both types of staff are equally important. Do you have them both in your organization?
If the answer is “No”, you may be missing opportunities to beat your competition to market and lose out on the benefits of being first to market.