How to Shake Up Industries That Hate Change (4 Principles)
Jan 23, 2024
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Stacey Schumacher, founder of the Texas Coalition for Animal Protection, shares four rules for shaking up industries. Topics include a new approach to animal welfare, affordable pet care, challenging workplace wisdom, sticking to your niche, and customer service lessons from Southwest Airlines and Chick-fil-A.
Having a strong personal conviction and challenging established norms can drive positive change in industries resistant to change.
Staying focused on your core mission maximizes the value and quality of services provided, similar to successful businesses like Chick-fil-A.
Deep dives
The Power of Righteous Indignation and Making a Difference
The podcast episode discusses the importance of having a strong sense of personal conviction and an indignant attitude towards injustices in the world. The guest, Stacy Shoemaker, shares her experience founding the Texas Coalition for Animal Protection (TCAP) to prevent unnecessary euthanasia in animal shelters. She emphasizes the motivation that comes from challenging established norms and the resilience required to navigate resistance. Despite not having formal training or experience in the veterinary field, Shoemaker's passion for animals and desire for change drove her to create solutions and provide low-cost services for pet owners. She also highlights the freedom individuals have in the United States to address societal issues they care about.
Overcoming Challenges and Resilience in Pursuing a Mission
Shoemaker discusses the obstacles she faced when starting a nonprofit organization and challenging the established full-service veterinary industry. She highlights the disconnect and potential resistance she encountered as a low-cost service provider, emphasizing that TCAP is intended to be a supplement, not a replacement. She reflects on the difficulties of being a young entrepreneur challenging the status quo but also recognizes the resilience that comes with being in marketing and delivering hard messages. Shoemaker also discusses the importance of resiliency and compassion in the workplace, emphasizing the need for a balance and the value of attracting smarter people to achieve success.
The Significance of Focusing on a Specific Mission
Shoemaker emphasizes the importance of focus and avoiding mission drift. She shares that TCAP's main focus is providing low-cost spay and neuter services for pets, preventing unnecessary breeding and overpopulation. She discusses the potential distractions and challenges that arise when organizations try to do too many things or deviate from their core mission. Shoemaker believes that staying true to the mission maximizes the value and quality of the services provided. She draws a parallel to successful businesses like Chick-fil-A, highlighting the importance of a clear, simple offering that customers can easily understand and appreciate.
Practicality, Learning, and Studying Other Industries
Shoemaker emphasizes the value of practicality and simplicity in business decisions. She shares an example of a promotional offer that became overly complicated and failed to resonate with customers. She advises businesses to keep things simple and customer-focused, avoiding unnecessary complexity. Shoemaker also discusses the significance of being a well-rounded individual and learning from different industries. She believes that having a broad understanding and the ability to connect with people across various domains enhances one's ability to drive innovation and solve problems. Shoemaker mentions Southwest Airlines as an example of a company that delivers practical solutions and encourages learning from other industries.
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Stacey Schumacher, founder of the Texas Coalition for Animal Protection (TCAP), knows how tough it is to bring new ideas to old-school industries. In this episode, she shares four basic rules that helped her change animal protection for the better. If you're trying to shake things up, Stacey's story and advice might just be what you need.
Topics Covered:
(00:00) - Intro
(02:14) - A crusade against euthanasia and corporate America
(06:52) - A new approach to animal welfare
(10:03) - The affordable solution to pet care
(11:32) - Why nonprofits struggle to revolutionise veterinary care
