Mick Jones of The Clash and Big Audio Dynamite fame said in his 1991 #1 hit “Rush”, “Situation no win; rush for the change of atmosphere.” Granted, Mick probably was not thinking about retail management when he sang this line, but those of us in retail management can still extract wisdom from it.
January is done, and we have one month in the books. Hopefully, there is a lot to feel good about in terms of early business results and the groundwork laid for the rest of the year. But if January wasn’t positive, there is no time to waste wallowing in self pity or over analysis. The year is still young, and, if you act quickly, it can still be hugely successful. You must be willing to put January in the past and rush for the changes necessary to get things on the right track. If you wait too long, you’ll find that March and the spring break season will soon be upon you, and “changing atmosphere” will be that much more difficult.
This lesson doesn’t only apply at the beginning of a new year. It’s relevant at any point you come to the realization that something must change. In the ever-dynamic world of retail management, laboring over the past’s no-win situations is sure to continue a downward spiral which will become tougher and tougher to climb out from. So live by the words of Mick Jones and act quickly to adjust your tactics in order to keep your business moving forward.