How to Be the Disruptor and Not Disrupted

(This article is submitted to The Straits Times on 22 Sep 16. Get 28 powerpoint slides at here)
Many people asked me, what is the meaning of disruption? Is disruption just about disruption technologies like Uber, Airbnb and Facebook? 

20 years ago in 1996, the world's top 3 mobile phones are Motorola, Ericsson and Nokia. 10 years ago, the names became Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Blackberry. Today 2016 the top 3 global phones are Samsung, Apple and Huawei. What will happen 10 years from now 2026?  Will the names change?  

10 years ago, TV stations and cable TV channels are fighting with each other for audiences. Today the most watched TV and movies are on mobile devices watched on platforms of Facebook, YouTube and Netflix, and TV Stations and Cable TV are struggling. 

It is obvious that disruption is happening very fast and most names would disappear in time to come. The question is: are you the one being disrupted or the Disruptor?

First of all, what is disruption? Disruption are happenings that change the course of things PERMANENTLY.  Note that the change has to be non-reversible and permanent and not temporary. Temporary disruptions are just distractions. The problem is disruption can happen slowly, like what happened to Nokia, or very fast like what happened to Blackberry, which went from 30% of world's market share in 2009 to 1% in 5 years time in 2014. By the time you realise the disruption, it could be too late and you will end with nothing. 

So it is important that we recognize what are the top 10 disruptive signals that are happening in our life and come up with responses that can make us not be the ones disrupted. Better still, we take proactive steps today and be the disruptor, for disruption is the only way of the future. Whether you are an employee or employer, investor or business owner, homemaker or student, retiree or going all out in your career, recognize these top 5 signs of disruption. Take steps to be the disruptor and not disrupted. 

Disruptor 1: Changes in Technology

This is the most obvious. Mobile phones have now become ESSENTIAL tools for business, work, social, daily necessities and entertainment and not just for communication. Robots and automation are now replacing professionals like accountants, auditors, designers, lawyers, stockbrokers, engineers and even doctors. 

How to be the disruptor: Upgrade your mobile phone to have 3 important features: long lasting battery, large memory and large screen. Get involved in mobile commerce and Augmented Reality stuff like Pokeman-Go mobile games and Virtual Reality Shopping. Know what is e-commerce and best of all, do an e-commerce business with almost zero capital and start earning money now by being the disruptor. 

Disruption 2:Customer Changes

If you notice that your customers are not coming back to you like in the past, this could mean that the world have already disrupted your business. Like my friend in the name-card printing business: he is getting less business because today people exchanged contacts via Linked-in and WeChat more than physical cards

How to be the disruptor:  Change your business model to give customers ULTRA VALUE. Today customers will only buy if they can get back IMMEDIATELY more that what they pay. For example, if I pay $100, I like to get back at least $200.  That's why in our courses we give people value that is at least 3 times of the course fees. For details, WeChat us at 65-8201-4347 now. 

Disruptor 3: Sentiment Change

Human habits have changed from being on the receiving end to the sourcing side. People nowadays do not just take anything that a vendor has (like watch any programs on TV), but source for what programs to watch on YouTube and Netflix

How to be the disruptor: Be a high value employee if you are not ready to go into business. If you are in business, don't just sell, facilitate and do crowd souring. For example, in my training and consulting business, we don't just train people, instead we give people opportunities to be trainers instead, for you will learn the most when you teach.  We also create trainees by helping companies restructure to be the disruptor, not disrupted. 

Disruptor 4: Health and Lifestyle Changes. 

Wellness and healthcare are what occupy peoples' minds today, not just career and business. For people realise that without good health, there is no wealth. Businesses that focus on healthy food get backlash and that's why companies like Coca-Cola and McDonalds are now promoting healthier choices in their menu. 

How to be the disruptor:  First of all you need to know if your health is going down or not. The best way to know is to do a health check, better still is to take healthy food or health supplements and exercise now to regain your health. Our courses now include letting people regain their mental health through mindfulness, anti-aging and reverse aging. 

Disruptor 5: Your Daily Energy Level

If you are like most people, you find that your daily mental energy level is going down, you are losing sleep and lack of drive. If you don't do anything now, you are going to be disrupted soon!  For if you have no dreams, you will simply perish. Truth be told, companies like Motorola and Nokia went down are not just simply of changing technology. These companies leaders do not have the dreams and drive like the leaders of Apple and Huawei have.    

How to be the disruptor:  Have your dream, or re-ignite them if you have lost them.  The best place to have your dreams is not in your dreams but in the company of fully awakened people. Come for this course called Successful Disruption on 28 Sep 2016 Wed. 7.15 pm to 9.30 pm.  For details, see the picture below. 

Written by Andy Ng on 22 September 2016. Contact him at andythecoach@gmail.com or 65-8201-4347 today. View all his videos at www.youtube.com/AndyNgCoach