To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
~ Pete Seeger, songwriter
I know I am not the only one that attributed this chart-busting song to the Beatles. I know because Google told me. Actually, they didn’t as much tell me as redirect me to The Byrds rendition of the song when I typed “Beatles there is a season” into my browser. The Byrds rendition hit the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. in 1965.
The song is mostly a rephrasing of the biblical book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 3, which says everything has a season. This proclamation applies to business as much as it applies to daily living.
Most investors will ask why now is the right time for a business idea. Click To TweetMost investors will ask why now is the right time for a business idea. This notion of the “right season” applies to existing businesses as well. As you assess your strategic plan for your business, you have to consider if you should turn, turn, turn…from what you were doing yesterday, based on what the market demands today.
Now is the time for online grocery delivery
Instacart is a hot startup that delivers groceries via personal shoppers. But, it is not the first startup to do so. In 1998, a startup called Webvan offered in-home grocery delivery. However, in 1998, the smartphone we know today did not exist. In 1998, Amazon was a 4-year old startup selling (mostly) books online. Americans affinity to ecommerce was just beginning. With the change in technology and consumer habits, now is a better time for the online grocery delivery model.
Yet, even in its short life, Instacart has had to pivot its business with changing times. Assessing current market conditions is critical to developing the strategic blueprint for the future (and longevity) of your business.