The governor of North Carolina, Pat McCrory, stepped back from his anti LGTB position yesterday after taking a ton of flak from the NC populace and feeling the economic heat of large organizations who pulled out of the state to show solidarity. Though he has not completely reversed – it’s a step toward making most parties happy. (Pet peeve: Do journalists try to make it hard to understand their prose? Example, “But he stopped short of opposing limits on which bathrooms transgender people could use….” Stopped short (negative), of opposing (negative), limits (negative) – that’s net negative, right?)
Only in politics can you get away making a big change, listen to the people, change your mind and reverse course, and end up being better off than where you started. But that’s not really true. When Coke launched New Coke, changing the formula, Coke drinkers were in an uproar. In one of the greatest marketing parries ever, Coke dashed New Coke and came back stronger than before. Most brand and marketing journalists will tell you the move galvanized Coke drinkers and re-launched the brand in a stronger position.
I’m not sure if governor McCrory is in a position that is stronger than ever, but I wouldn’t be surprised. When the people speak and you actually listen, it shows they have the power. Consumers and voters like that. It’s okay to listen and it’s okay to change.
Try it. Peace.
