Don’t flop like Blockbuster

(Scroll all the way down for the HighLevel AI prompt writer I trained just for you)

Last Saturday, my son was choosing which movie to watch on Disney Plus. He scrolled through dozens of films in less than a minute…

Remember when movie night meant going to Blockbuster to rent some DVDs? And if the hot, new movie wasn’t on the shelf that day, you had to settle for an oldie.

I’m all for nostalgia, but the digital world was heading elsewhere, and it got me thinking...

Getting too comfy is like asking for a one-way ticket to Obscurity Town. 🚂 

The innovation train isn't slowing down, and neither should you. ]

It's a tricky balance, though.

How do you continue evolving and innovating without jeopardizing the foundation you know works?

How can we embrace the new without discarding the old?

How can we ensure that our drive for innovation works together with, rather than conflicts with, our existing wins?

Let's unpack how we can not only keep up but stay ahead.

Today in 6 minutes or less:

✔️ The Blockbuster moment you DO NOT want

✔️ …it’s personal

✔️ 6 ways to innovate in your biz + life

THE BLOCKBUSTER MOMENT YOU DO NOT WANT

You’ve probably heard of the Innovator's Dilemma.

Here's the crux of it: Initial success can sometimes be your own trap.

You've found a winning formula, and the temptation is to stick to it. Why change something that's already working?

But here's where businesses trip up…

Let's zoom in on a classic case that perfectly illustrates this concept. Remember Blockbuster? Yep, the movie rental guys.

Back in the day, Blockbuster wasn't just a company; it was an icon with 9,094 stores worldwide. They were the leaders of the video rental game.

But as the world became more digital and streaming movies became a viable option, Blockbuster retained the physical movie rental business.

Here’s where they messed up – they hesitated to adapt and update their business model.

Why? Because they feared it would be better to cling to its traditional store model instead of investing in digital technology.

⏩️ Fast forward a few years, and the digital revolution they had in their grasp swept over the globe – led by others.

They were sitting on a goldmine, but they clung to their old ways like a life raft. Then, they missed the boat they built. 👋 

Moral of the story? Don't be Blockbuster.

In our SaaS world, it’s easy to play it safe. But safe doesn't lead the pack.

The goal isn’t just to recreate success; it’s to redefine it. Our businesses should not be time capsules, but time machines – always moving forward.

…IT’S PERSONAL

Innovation extends beyond tech and business. It's crucial in our personal lives.

Whether it's surprising our partners with something extraordinary or transforming a weekend with our kids into an unforgettable adventure…

Innovation in relationships is about being attuned to subtle needs and desires.

Just like you need to have your finger on the pulse to know what’s coming next in the SaaS world, you need to be fully present with your loved ones to know how to innovate in those relationships.

The truth is that true innovation can’t be automated. 

You’ve gotta be intentional, set aside time, and make it happen.

So, I’m sorry if you spent the first weeks of Jan planning out every minute of 2025 in your Google Calendar…

Stepping out of your routine is healthy, and it’s actually what your relationships need in order to stay exciting and grow.

Here’s an example: You bring your wife coffee every day. That’s a thoughtful thing to do, and I’m sure she appreciates it. There’s beauty in consistency and dependability.

The first week you do it, she’s surprised and delighted. But as time goes on, it becomes the norm.

Now, what if you bring her coffee AND a bouquet of flowers one day? Coffee and a handwritten note?

Innovating in relationships requires little time or energy to do well. It just requires intentional effort.

It's about breaking routines, not for change's sake, but to deepen and enrich connections.

6 WAYS TO INNOVATE IN YOUR BIZ + LIFE

For your SaaS Agency:

• Test and learn: Introduce new features or services in a controlled environment. For instance, offer a new automation or one of HighLevel’s new AI tools to a small group of clients. Gather feedback, refine, and then scale. This keeps your offerings fresh and tailored.
  

• Branch out: Consider widening your reach or stepping into a different niche. If you suddenly find yourself in a social circle of dentists, but you currently only service roofers, consider offering your services to dentists. This also protects you against market shifts.
  

• Feedback is Gold: Encourage your clients to give you feedback on your services. This can be as simple as a form or ending a sales call by genuinely asking how you did. Use their responses to guide your innovation strategy. This is how you ground your innovations in real-world needs and expectations.

For your personal life:

• Communicate Creatively: Change up your communication style. If you find yourself only ever texting your friends and loved ones, it can get stagnant. Surprise notes, unexpected calls, or new conversation topics can bring a fresh spark. Snail mail is a go-to for me.

• Active Listening for Growth: Tune in to the changing interests of your loved ones. If you heard your wife talking about how much she’s loving the new Sabrina Carpenter single, why not surprise her with concert tickets? Surprise and delight, folks!

• New Experiences, Stronger Bonds: Inject novelty into your relationships. Try new activities, go to new places, and create memories that last. Break out of the routine. Even something as simple as a date idea generator allows you to leave things to chance, surprising both your partner and yourself with a totally fun and unexpected date.

Innovating isn't just a one-time event.

It’s a mindset shift. A constant journey of asking "What's next?" after every single win.

We need to ask, “yes, and?”

• Yes, this strategy is working right now…

• And how can I look forward and make it better?

This is your sign not to get stagnant. Keep looking for ways to innovate in your professional and personal life.

And definitely don’t be Blockbuster.

To profiting more and working less. 💸 

-Matt

👇️ COOL FREE THING

The new HighLevel AI tools are awesome…

But the truth is, these features are 100 % useless without expert prompts and guidance.

That’s why the AI experts here are HL Pro Tools made our very own AI Prompt Writer…

So you can use HighLevel’s AI tools as your business’ ultimate unfair advantage.

Grab the bot here. (FYI, it will only be available for 3 days!)

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