Byron's Babbles

As an “Energetic Change Agent” I love enabling and creating opportunities for positive change. This does not mean that I don’t occasionally resist or become uncomfortable with change. We all do! A couple of things have happened in the past few months that prompted me thinking about doing this post. Then, this week the experience described in “I Am Mad That I Liked It” brought writing this post back to the top of the list.

The first change that occurred is related to the bottles we use for baby calves. As you know we raise Jersey dairy show cattle. I’ve been using the same kind of bottle for years – two quart with snap-on calf nipple. Recently, the brand of bottle I use quit making the snap-on and went to a screw-on model. Check out the featured pictures and you’ll get the idea. I was really upset because I thought the snap-on model was easier to use and wash. Keep in mind, when you’re giving 10-12 bottles a day, easier makes a difference. But, after a lot of complaining and resisting it didn’t take long to realize I was wrong. The screw-on tops were easier to put on and easy to clean. Plus, there was a huge improvement in the venting. If you notice the bottle on the left is all dented and suck in. That is what happens with the snap-on bottles and we even had to stop and vent them while giving the bottle. That issue has been completely solved with the screw-on tops. Bottom-line: the screw-top bottles are better. We should have switched to them when they first came available, but no, I was sure I would not like them.

Then, another change happened that freaked me out. My dry-cleaner decided to retire and completely shut down the business. I am really picky about my shirts and like them folded and packaged – when you travel a lot like me it is easier to pack and store shirts (see picture). And believe it or not, they are not wrinkled when I take them out of the package. After much agonizing, I have found a new cleaners that I love. And while I loved my former cleaner, my new service provider has 24 hour drop off and pick-up, which is super convenient, check for missing buttons and replace if needed, and has an app for all communication. The change was good – why was I so resistant?

We are often resistant to change from one product or service to another due to several reasons. One reason is familiarity and comfort with the current product. We may be used to the people, features, functionality, and the overall customer experience. Switching to a new product or service requires us to learn and adapt to something different, which can be time-consuming and frustrating.

Additionally, there is the loyalty and attachment to a certain people, brand, and designs. We may have developed a sense of loyalty towards a particular brand, and switching to a new product or service means ending that loyalty. We might also fear that the new product may not live up to our expectations or provide the same level of satisfaction and benefits as the one we are currently using. This was certainly the case in both of my examples. Cost can also be a factor, but was not in my examples. My resistance to change came from a combination of factors like familiarity, loyalty, fear of the unknown, and laziness of not wanting to research and search for a new cleaners.

There are good reasons to try new products and services that do the same thing as the ones we are currently using:

1. Innovation and advancements: New services and products often come with improved features, functionalities, and technology that may enhance our overall experience or make tasks easier and more efficient.
2. Better performance: New products may offer superior performance, speed, reliability, or durability compared to older models. This was certainly the case with my calf bottle example.
3. Cost-effectiveness: This was not a factor in my examples, but new products and services could be more cost-effective and energy-efficient, require fewer maintenance or repair costs, or offer better value for money.
4. Enhanced compatibility, integration, and support: Switching to a new service or product might provide better compatibility with other devices, software, or systems, allowing for a smoother and more seamless experience. I now have an app to manage my dry cleaning.
5. Different features and options: Exploring new services and products allows us to explore different features, customization options, or variations that may better suit our needs, preferences, or workflow.

Ultimately, embracing change and being open to new services and products can lead to better experiences, increased efficiency, cost savings, and access to the latest advancements in technology. I am not advocating to change just for the sake of change, but it is crucial to keep an eye out for the benefits that can occur listed above.