The Fast-Changing Business Landscape
Technology is reshaping the marketplace at an unprecedented pace. Many things that exist today will soon become obsolete—including jobs and businesses. Despite these changes, many people continue operating as if nothing is happening. They fail to recognize the warning signs until it’s too late.
A month ago, I left my car at a workshop and had to take a taxi home. The taxi driver, who was also the chairman of the taxi stand, pleaded for my patronage. As we drove, he lamented how ride-hailing services like Uber had significantly reduced his income, forcing him to struggle for survival. He urged me to ignore Uber and stick with traditional taxis.
This disruption isn’t limited to the taxi industry. Change is happening everywhere, and many people fail to see it coming.
- Electric cars are gaining popularity in global markets. As prices drop, consumers will move away from petrol and diesel vehicles.
- Oil companies are pivoting towards renewable energy to stay relevant.
- Banks are shifting operations online, reducing the need for physical branches. I can’t recall the last time I visited a bank or used a checkbook—everything is done via bank transfers and mobile banking apps.
- Retail, hotels, and restaurants are experiencing digital transformations, changing how customers interact with businesses.
If you fail to anticipate these shifts, you risk being left behind.
Preparing for a World That No Longer Exists
A major challenge is that many people still think with an industrial-age mindset. We invest heavily in education and skills that prepare us for a world that no longer exists. Many of today’s qualifications and skill sets are becoming obsolete.
The old model of working solely for money is fading. To thrive, you must align your job with your passion. Yet, many people make career decisions based on current demand rather than their unique strengths and long-term opportunities.
Taking decisions based on what exists today is risky because the future is evolving rapidly. What seems stable now may already be on the verge of extinction.
The Invisible ‘X’ – The Danger You Don’t See
Let me share a real-life story of someone who invested in something already marked for destruction. I’ll call him Tony.
Tony bought a prime piece of land in Lagos at an attractive price. Unbeknownst to him, the land was under government acquisition. The land had an invisible ‘X’, but due to a lack of due diligence, he missed the warning signs.
Ignoring legal processes, he built a luxurious mansion and even held a lavish housewarming party. Years later, he received an eviction notice from the State Government. While he frantically searched for a way out, bulldozers arrived, demolishing his home.
This serves as a powerful lesson:
- The demolition happened the day the government acquired the land—the wrecking crew just arrived later.
- What seems secure today may already be marked for change.
- If your job or business is outdated, don’t wait until it collapses—take action now.
This mirrors the biblical story of Lot. When Lot chose Sodom and Gomorrah, he saw lush greenery but missed the looming destruction. He only realized the truth when fire and brimstone rained down. His wife, reluctant to let go, perished in the disaster.
The lesson? The fact that something exists today does not mean it will last.
Continuous Learning is the Key to Survival
Don’t let change destroy you. Upgrade your skills and mindset.
- Stop resisting technology—embrace it.
- Recognize that the industrial age is over. We are in the Information Age, an era dominated by entrepreneurs and innovation.
- Invest in learning new skills relevant to today’s and tomorrow’s economies.
The world doesn’t need your permission to move forward. If you remove the batteries from your clock, time doesn’t stop—it continues ticking. The same applies to progress.
If you haven’t been learning, adapting, and growing, now is the time to start. Instead of fighting change, become part of the movement that drives transformation.
