We are 20.
Today, we are 20. What started as a year of promise and celebration is turning out to be a year defined by tenacity in the face of adversity.
We have kept ourselves busy over the last 20 years. Busy trying to innovate in our area of industry. Busy working on “what’s next” for our clients, businesses and those we advise. But then, 2020 happened. TL; DR: "Worst economic crisis of our generation". "Uncertain business climate". "Change is inevitable".
Entire industries are chasing down innovation as saviour, innovation in technology, processes and communication. There is a promise that these innovations would carry us back to normalcy. At the same time, a danger lurks. A danger in “innovating” for innovation sake. A danger in chasing every trend down the rabbit hole.
Many will soon realise that not every innovation will yield the result we all need right now. We are still fiercely debating the uncertainties of what’s ahead, what has changed or what will change.
Which is why this will be important: For the first time in 20 years, we will have to drive innovation from a different lens. With every business busy innovating and compressing 5 years of worth of change into a single year, we will have to focus. Not just on innovation. Not just in technology. But razor-focused on the very foundation, on what is important, on what matters. It’s about innovation with purpose.
The promise of what lies ahead then is applying that focus on things that matter. The promise in those investment ushering in real impact.
Until that comes to fruition, we will have to face the struggles that still lie in front of us today - the uncertainty. We will have to keep adapting, adjusting and come to terms with our adversity. But take comfort that we aren’t doing it alone.
We’re grateful. In the past year, we have had clients who have not panicked and abandon any of the key strategies laid out. We’re proud to have contributed a big part in helping them adjust and adapt, while we too adjust and adapt. The sense of togetherness knowing that we are weathering this storm hand in hand. We are overjoyed with the few clients we added to our roster along the way. A big thank you to those who have put their trust on us.
More importantly, to our teams who are exercising the strength of character needed to survive and adjust to this reality. It can’t be easy. It isn’t easy. We are often at breaking points. But we are not alone. We must take comfort that “this too shall pass.”
This is not a story of how well we are doing. This is not a story of how badly we are suffering. This is a reminder, an encouragement, a call to action. We are still on this journey. We have yet to lay down our resolve. There’s still plenty of work left to do on our collective path to recovery. Therefore, our 20th year will be celebrated, quietly, while working from home, soldering on. The party can wait until 2021.
#brandthink20