The past can be an inspiration for the future

Thought gimmicky car branding was new? Try this from the 30's in Brisbane.

Every generation likes to believe that it is the first to think of everything.

From food to sex, you name it, and you will find a younger person claiming it is a new idea, or an older person claiming that their generation were pioneers.

There are a few lessons here.

Every generation will discover the same problems at roughly the same stages in their life.

What this means is that you don’t have to ‘grow older’ with your customer base, just stick with your product based on what people entering the stage of life you are catering to.

Also, don’t always listen to your long-term clients for product improvement. It may be that they are about to outgrow or move away from needing your product. Throw a grain or two over your shoulder when you listen to them.

Take inspiration from the past with the understanding that very little is new. Businesses have always competed. Advertising was always required. Reputation for price, quality or service will carry through.

One classic example for me was the glorious one page ad for a hairdressers in my hometown Brisbane from the 1908 street map guide to the city, the wording was identical to that of modern hairdressers -" Come in and try the latest hairstyles from Europe".  Have a look at old car oil or product ads from the 1940s and 50s. The image may be updated, but I bet the advertising copy is the same.

If there is a way to make money from people and businesses then it has probably been tried and lessons learned can be used. Take inspiration from it.

As a good friend of mine (and retired entrepreneur) likes to say “web-based businesses haven’t even caught up with 20% of what’s happening out there”.