Who likes change? Wednesday February 22, 2012

Last week I enjoyed an excellent BBC TV programme called 'The Fixer'. It's a series in which a business troubleshooter spends time with struggling family businesses in an effort to turn them round.

In the one I watched, the business under the spotlight was a Yorkshire furniture shop whose ground floor was rather unflatteringly, but accurately, described by presenter Alex Polizzi as looking like an old people's home (without the old people).

Alex is 'The Fixer', a member of the hugely successful hotel and restaurant owning Forte family.

The principal tension in the furniture business revolved around its owner and his son. Father was convinced that his shop's image should remain very traditional. Traditional was one way of putting it, old-fashioned another.

The son, on the other hand, was desperate to see change but had zero confidence that his Dad would ever go along with it.

Eventually, though - in the way of all good television - much against his will, father was persuaded to take a few days off while his store received a desperately-needed makeover.

How would he react when he returned?

Well he loved it. L.O.V.E.D. it. In fact, in under a week his whole demeanour changed from completely despondent, utterly demoralised, to having a completely renewed sense of purpose.

He even looked different.

Change can be daunting. Few of us really want it, deep down.

Sometimes, though, it's exactly what's needed.

So how about you? What do you think The Fixer would urge if she came into your life?

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