The danger of Instant Gratification

Our world has become  obsessed with instant gratification, and it has impacted on the way we do things as well as what we expect.  Since the digital world has started delivering instant gratification on many levels, the biggest danger is the expectations it has created, for the new generations and the old.  Each generation has a different viewpoint and a different capacity to deal with such expectations, as well as the ability to deliver on the expectations that they face themselves.

Why is this relevant to us as citizens and business people of the world?

As instant gratification is met at some levels, the disappointment of those expectations not being met on other levels increases the frustration of people and with it their response and their reactions.  Customer needs therefore are on the march, and if we thought satisfying those needs in the past were tough, just wait for the future.  Can we, as a civilized society deliver?

Only time will tell.

What does this mean to business people delivering products and services to market?  Well for one thing, they had better not become complacent.  If you thought things were “good enough for the past”, and that it should therefore be “good enough for the future”, you may be staring your own downfall in the face.  Never in our history has change been so rapid and so daunting for so may to deal with simultaneously.

I believe that everyone will need to bite the bullet and accept this mounting torrent of change that is cascading towards us.  Ignore it at your peril.  Embrace it with everything you have and attempt to ride the wave to the best of your ability.  That way, at very least, you’ll keep your head above the water…

Happy surfing everyone – see you in 2012!!!

Neville Pokroy consults in the areas of strategic marketing planning, as well as in the development and execution of marketing strategies and plans. He assists companies who require marketing expertise to plan and fully execute marketing programs.  If you want to have more choice in marketing your business and in setting yourself apart, and increase the odds of improving company performance, visit our website.

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