Three and a Half Degrees Presents: Three Ways to Disrupt Your Business

Facebook Business

January 28, 2019

Three and a Half Degrees, an original podcast series by Facebook, brings together unexpected pairings of business leaders, mavericks and entrepreneurs who share surprising parallels in values, visions, experiences and ideas. Hosted by David Fischer, Facebook’s VP of Business and Marketing Partnerships, this podcast series shares common lessons learned when building new businesses in today’s age of connectivity. Tune in to hear stories of challenges and triumphs, get inspired by innovative entrepreneurs and learn from the common practices, insights and motivations of successful business leaders.

Disruption used to describe the onslaught of new businesses intent on shaking things up. Today, disruption has evolved to define the changing ways consumers engage with brands. In the latest episode of Three and a Half Degrees, we see why businesses of all sizes must embrace disruptive customer behaviors in order to stay ahead.

In today's episode, “The Power of Disruption,” we introduce small business owners Monique and Chevalo Wilsondebriano of Charleston Gourmet Burger Company to Chris Kempczinski, President of McDonald’s USA, to discuss how businesses new and old are challenging the status quo to disrupt industries and find success.

What does a burger company born in a couple's backyard have in common with one of the biggest burger joints in the world? They're both powered by innovative thinking and a pursuit of what's next. More specifically, they're following three principles to constantly reimagine the possibilities for their businesses.

1. Ask “What if?”

It might seem simple, but asking this question ensures your business is prepared for future disruption. Asking “what if?” and staying on top of changing consumer trends helped McDonald’s introduce new ways to order meals and moved Charleston Gourmet Burger Company to expand its menu items in order to grow the business.

2. Keep it simple

In this episode, both businesses agree that listening to your customers is key, but it’s important to focus on what made your business successful, rather than just adding more offerings and menu items to meet changing behaviors. The best response to consumer demand can be found in iterating on your existing, successful offerings and models to adapt to consumer needs.

3. Challenge “It won’t work.”

Remember when McDonald’s didn’t deliver? In the latest episode, Kempczinski shares that the company didn’t believe delivery would work in the US, but when they saw it succeed in other, more densely populated areas they gave it a shot, and demand was huge. You can disrupt your business by revisiting dismissed ideas to uncover new ways to delight customers.

Check out the episode to learn how these businesses have evolved their brands to stay top of mind with customers.

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