The Law of Adaption

It wasn't long ago that my son, John - who happens to be in corporate finance - challenged my business model. At the time, I wasn't so sure that I knew what a business model was, let alone what ours was. Over a period of years, however, I have learned that whatever your business model is, it must of necessity fit the market you are in. And, if it doesn't, you have to change it. I call this the Law of Adaption, and this is the way it works.

1. The Law of Adaption says that if the shoe doesn't fit, then you had better try a different shoe. The point is, markets vary; there are geographical realities, demographic realities, and economic realities. If, for example, your business model is geared toward manufacturing, and manufacturing in your area has dwindled, then you had better look for something else to gear to.

2. The Law of Adaption says that it is not about what you want, it is about what your customer wants - and this is subject to change. That is, what is important to the customer today may not be the same as what is important to the customer tomorrow. And while some things never change, other things are always changing. A case in point is the current emphasis on environmentally friendly products and services. What was non-existent in the customer's mind ten years ago is now becoming predominant.

3. If changing customer wants and needs are not enough, changes in your customer's personnel compel your company to adapt. The Law of Adaption says you must adjust to the people within the organization you serve. The face of corporate America has changed dramatically in recent years. In some cases entire levels of management have been eliminated as a result of downsizing. In other companies seasoned personnel have been replaced with younger, less-expensive individuals. In each case it is imperative to keep track of changes, and quickly acclimate your firm to new people.

4. The Law of Adaption says that you must constantly assess your product and service offering, adjusting it where necessary and eliminating things if need be. I have seen this in my own industry. Whereas vinyl wall coverings were in great demand in the 80's and 90's, multicolor paints became the product of choice in the past decade. Now, however, it is slowly changing back. For us, this has meant a change in personnel and the skills required for employment at T. L. Hart, Inc.

5. Finally, the Law of Adaption says that a company must fit the dimensions of its market. In this case, if the shoe doesn't fit, then you had better try the other foot! Put another way, the market you are in determines the size of your company and the room it has to grow. A company located in a relatively small geographical region cannot look and act like one in a large metropolitan area if it wants to survive long. In other words a large company in a small market doesn't work unless it expands it scope.

I'm sure there is more, but the point is things are always changing, and if you and your business do not adapt to the changes, then chances are you'll succumb to the company that does

1 Comment

Stephen Isaacson

December 24, 2010 1:29 am

Found this link through linkedin…
Just wanted to say that I like what you say…

Since teaching, I have learned to always remain “positive and
flexible” in my approach to any given situation, with it’s ‘merely assumed’ or hidden structural constraints; with any positive or surprisingly negative customer feedback or expectation; or, whenever dealing with any unforeseen opportunity or incalculable risk that only manifests itself through the vigorous sifting of our own actions and attitudes toward the problem…in other words, our work, our vocation.

In other words, I am a teacher that always tries to learn more from my ‘stakeholders.’ I know the importance of change, because i am in the business of change…I need it, and I expect it. Nothing is sure, but in order to survive, I need to cause change. The kind of change I am looking for, though, is improvement. So I know that Change will always happen…whether I am here to see it tomorrow, or not…but, today, I know that I must put something in motion that hasn’t moved in quite some time. Sow a good seed way before it is harvest-time – that I might not ever get another chance to sow again – and watch for the harvest.

Three Keys to Prospering in Your Work

By Terry Hart • January 13, 2023

“And every work that [Hezekiah] undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered” (2 Chronicles 31:21). There are here in this one verse three keys to prospering in your work. One, whatever you do should be in accordance with the word of God. God’s will is revealed in his word; it is to be found in no other place. I realize the Bible does not tell us whether we should be a carpenter or a financial advisor, a realtor or a nurse, but it does tell us to do what we do as unto the Lord. So if what you are doing can be so done, it is well and good as far as God is concerned. Better yet, find out what God wants you to do, and do that. I teach that a person should get a word from God as to his occupation. It could be that God puts a certain thing on your heart, to be and do such and such a thing. This is also good in God’s sight, as he gives us the desires of our hearts. He is in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure. That said, let it be “in accordance with the law and the commandments.” Two, seek God. He is a rewarder of them that seek him. Jesus taught, “seek and you shall find.” Having sought God as to what he wants you to do, keeping seeking him as to how to do it. This is a never ending endeavor. There is a verse in Scripture that goes like this: “As long as he sought the Lord, he prospered” (see 2 Chronicles 26:5). So if you are seeking God and prospering, if you want to continue to do so, keep seeking God. Three, do what you do with all your heart. The Bible says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23). What is to be noticed here is who you are working for. You may think you are working for the government, or the auto-maker, or the real-estate broker. Or, if you are self-employed or own your own business, that you work for yourself. The Christian, however, is to work for the Lord. Verse 24 of this same book and chapter says, “You are serving the Lord Christ.” So, if you think a half-hearted approach to your job pleases the Lord, then go for it. Otherwise, you had better up your game. There is another verse in Ecclesiastes that addresses how you work. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (9:10). In other words, in everything you do, whatever it is—your job, your service to your family or church, or even mundane things like mowing the yard or shoveling snow, give it all you have. Do it as for Jesus, as this greatly pleases him. It should be apparent, then, that if you wish to prosper, be applying these principles. And if you want to keep on prospering, don’t let up. I have found that after enjoying a measure of success, it is easy to ease off on the intensity with which you approach your work. Jesus says it best when speaking about prayer: keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking. The key words here being “keep on.” The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

What Goes into the Cost of a Paint Job

By T.L. Hart • December 8, 2020

While you can get your property painted for just about any amount, hiring a reputable commercial painting contractor will ensure you get a quality end-product with a firm that stands behind its work. To provide this, there are three cost-factors that go into a good commercial contractor’s price: labor, materials, and profit.

Keep Your Commercial Property Watertight

By T.L. Hart • November 12, 2020

Moisture is among your commercial property’s greatest enemies. Wind-driven rain, leaky gutters and downspouts, old, deteriorated caulk or glazing, plus improperly painted substrates are all factors in moisture penetration. The result of water getting into unwanted places include peeling paint, damaged substrates, and—worse yet, mold and mildew. This is why you want to keep your commercial building waterproofed. While no one can prevent unwanted weather, and leaky gutters and downspouts are outside the scope of this article, proper preparation and a good quality paint job can go a long way in preventing moisture penetration. The following will contribute to a watertight building: Caulking. It is surprising how much damage a little water can do and how small an area allowing access will allow a lot of water in. Gaps in building materials, open joints, holes, plus splits and cracks may seem insignificant, but they’re a major entry point for moisture. This is easily solved by installing a good quality caulk. Since building components vary, caulks vary as well. They can be as simple as latex caulk, acrylic, siliconized acrylic, polyurethane, butyl, and pure silicone. The key is to seal up points of entry. Painting. Your commercial building is properly painted when all the paintable substrates have an adequate and cumulative amount of coating on them. I say adequate and cumulative as typically one coat of paint applied too thin will typically not do the job. Every substrate, that needs to be protected from moisture penetration, must have the right amount of millage installed. The proper mill thickness can be found in the manufacturer’s product data sheet (PDS). Of particular concern are those commercial buildings comprised of concrete masonry units (CMUs), or block. Concrete block is extremely porous, and unless coated properly will allow a huge amount of water into the walls of your building. The most important aspect of waterproofing a masonry building is filling the pores of the CMU. This is done by applying a block-filler as a first coat, with no more than ten pin-holes (the pore) per square foot. Once this is achieved, a good quality topcoat of any sort will provide water tightness. Best for CMUs are elastomeric coatings. These are rubber-based paints that, once dry, form an impenetrable rubber film over the substrate, and are the best for preventing moisture penetration—even wind-driven rain. Another advantage to elastomeric coatings is that they expand and contract, and will actually bridge small cracks in the masonry that may develop over time. There are other options for waterproofing—actual waterproofing sealers, stains, and cementitious coatings, all of which we have applied over our 36 years in business. In summary, to keep your commercial building looking good and free of moisture damage, keep it sealed up and make sure it is properly painted. Here at T. L. Hart, Inc. our goal is to ensure your commercial property is always in excellent condition. Our team of professional painters stands ready to keep moisture out of your property. Contact us today to request a quote.