The Importance Of Following Trends

There are so many working pieces of a successful company and workflow. Is keeping up with trends one that you have to do? We believe it to be one of the most important things to stay on top of! 

The business world, just like any industry, changes rapidly. The right thing to wear, the cool things to do, where to eat, and the latest catchphrases can grow in popularity thanks to one viral Instagram post in a matter of seconds. It can be exhausting to follow and keep up with. It's even more exhausting when you're trying to run a business on top of staying aware of these changes. We get it. It's part of what we do for our clients and is something we deal with every day.

 Is it really necessary to stay on top of and to follow trends? Or do you just find what works for you and your company and stick with that? In all reality, as much as we hate to say it, not staying on top of these fast-paced trends can endanger your company. Sticking to your very traditional means of business can be very damaging and will leave you in the dust of your competitors as they take the lead, your customers, and your business. 

• Don't Be Afraid 

There are two very dangerous sayings in the English language, "we've always done it this way" and "you can't teach an old dog new tricks". While there is something to these sayings, don't get caught in complacency. Fear can lend a big hand to that. But, you took a huge risk in starting your company to begin with. Why would you stop letting it prosper and grow after you took such a huge leap? Even if you do have a successful business that has been around for some time, keeping up with changes and trends and applying them to your business models shows that you're open for change, growth, and are flexible. This can bring your customers and followers closer to you and lead to more admiration. For example, adding Instagram and YouTube into an established company's workflow allows a newer generation to connect with you. 

• Where To Start 

Education is something we cherish at Creative Consulting. Every month, our employees share their own research on how their particular industry is changing and how they are applying these changes to their work. They also share how these trends and changes can help our company grow. You required formal education for yourself and your employees to get started, why would that stop? There are hundreds of easy and accessible ways to continue your education about your industry and the trends that are headed your way. Podcasts and YouTube are some of the easiest ways to do so. It makes learning easy and you can listen and learn wherever and whenever. You can follow industry leaders on social media and even find stellar articles and blogs online. You can find wonderful articles in your favorite newspapers and magazines. Don't forget to stay connected with your industry by networking and learning from those around you, too. 

• Hard Numbers

Your phone, your computer, and every device you use to run your social media platforms are also right there, filled with data about the changing trends. When you've been using these tools long enough, your analytics won't lie to you. If you're doing the same thing every day and you see that the interest and interaction on your posts are starting to drop, there is proof right there that it's time to change things up. Facebook and Instagram will provide hard numbers and facts. Google, on the other hand, with tools like Google Trends, can give you the best new and upcoming trends at the click of a button. It's easy and simple, you just have to use the tools offered you. 

• Ask The Right Questions 

It's also easy to watch what your competitors are up to. It takes time to keep a mindful eye, but it's a smart move to make. If you see them trying a new approach that's working for them, put your spin on it and try it out yourself. The results can be very surprising. Also, don't forget about your customers. They are one of the main reasons why you've been successful and can be the key to help you stay relevant and successful. Be honest with them, and ask what could be different that will allow them more access to your products and what changes they would love to see. 

• Pay Attention To History 

Think about trends this way; if you stay on top of them, you can start seeing a pattern grow. History repeats itself and so do trends, at large. Even if technology does grow and change, the basic principle behind the goal of each trend is similar to what's been done before. This will allow you some pretty big benefits. One, you will be able to smartly guess at what could be coming ahead of the game. This will help you make positive and insightful decisions for the future of your company, as you will aptly be able to anticipate the new trends coming. Also, you won't be spending as much time trying to stay on top of new trends, because you will already have a good idea of what is already coming. 

Also, remember to identify if the changes in your industry are true trends or if they're just fads. Fads will disappear overnight and can lead to a lot of frustration. A lot of money and time can be spent on implementing a fad. If it's mistaken for a trend, it can lead to a lot of frustration and money and time lost. Make sure you know the difference between the two, and how to spot both. What we want you to take away from this blog is to make sure that you are staying on top of trends. We do recognize that it can be a lot of added work, but it needs to be added to your workflow. We want to hear how you've encountered and implemented trends in your business! Comment below and share your experiences. If you want to learn more about trends, let us know! It could appear in future blogs. 

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