It's Fashion Week and for me it is an annual kick in the derriere. I have friends who design and manufacture clothing and in our video library we have the story of the Nicole Miller Fashion House. While I am aware that this event is happening, the fashions they are showcasing have little place in my life--or my closet. Instead, I buy my clothes off the rack, but I do pay attention to how these designers--name brands and newcomers--weave a vision into the looks that define more than what we wear on our backs. Their inspiration is the tapestry of our culture, defining trends, influencing mindsets and fueling an economy driven increasingly by young consumers.
The lesson is that even if you are not a clothes hound or fashionista you can learn something from those who are in that business. They know that they can’t rest on past creations for this or next year's sales, and they teach us that if you want to keep growing your business, an annual effort to reinvent your products and services is essential.
Some owners wait until their business financials are threadbare before they get creative. That describes Bart Mahon who nearly lost everything before he changed his products and his method for reaching customers. Some owners like Bill Sugars do extensive research to find out what is working in other places before they implement something new. And by far the best way to add new products and services is to listen to your customers as they do at Joe T. Garcia.
If the wear and tear of day-to-day operations has worn down your sense of innovation, watch the New York fashion world on line where every seat is runway perfect. The truly unique creations offered up by both big and small designers will wrap you in the inspiration you need to put your business back in fashion with customers.
