by Stacy Jackson
As Groundhog Day approaches, along with a blast of wintry weather, I am reminded of a movie that I could watch over and over again. "What movie is that?" you may ask. Why it’s Groundhog Day, of course!
There are obvious reasons to like this movie: Bill Murray’s comedic talents, an interesting storyline, a great Ray Charles song. Beyond that, I like what I see as one of the underlying themes of the movie: lasting change can only come from profound change.
As Bill Murray’s character grows wearier of repeating the same day over and over again, he begins making changes to see if they will free him from living in Groundhog Day limbo. While his changes affect the outcome of the day’s circumstances, they are ultimately superficial "tweaks" that don’t translate into successful attainment of his goal—to stop repeating Groundhog Day over and over again.
How often do we approach problems in our own lives and careers by attempting to make the small, easy fixes only to be disappointed with the long-term outcome? While I can't offer advice for profound changes in your personal life, I can point you to some good posts on our blog that address making long-term changes in your approach to trade promotion management. Grab a cup of hot cocoa, stay safe and warm, and browse through this selection from Answers Systems:
What’s Your Approach? Distributor, Operator Billbacks
Great Trade Promotion Management Takes Discipline
Spolier Alert: Deductions
Implementing a Trade Promotion Management Solution
Overriding Pendings
Houston, Do We Really Have a Problem?
What's Wrong with Deductions?