Gary Vee, the famous digital marketing and social media guru, believes that the Baby Boomer and Gen X generations will see their grandchildren marry AI partners. You read that right. Sound ridiculous? So did stepping into a giant aluminum tube and flying across the sky to our great-great-grandparents. While they were sitting by the fireplace in their homes with no electricity or indoor plumbing, planning their next two-day horse and buggy trip to the general store, the thought of crossing the country in a matter of hours – by air – would have seemed as science fiction to them as little green men – as fantastical as leprechauns and fairies. But here we are.
We may not be quite that far yet when it comes to AI (and, frankly, I hope we never reach the point of non-human binding covenants), but we are certainly on the cusp of monumental and historic change.
Consider this: if you are middle-aged, it is possible that your grandchildren will never need to learn to drive. With Tesla’s recent rollout of their Robotaxi program, Gen Alpha, Gen Beta, and beyond may never need to touch a steering wheel or have any human interaction to get where they want to go. It’s wild, right?
But it’s not just about cars driving themselves; it’s about how technology is reshaping every aspect of our lives. It’s a powerful reminder for all of us, regardless of our industry, that innovation isn’t optional, change isn’t a “maybe someday” consideration, and adaptation isn’t just something that fascinates us in the animal world. Now more than ever, these things are the essential building blocks for survival in this ever-changing, relentlessly fast-paced world. But that’s just the start; those things will keep you from going under, but if you want to stay ahead, the work gets harder.
Staying ahead means constantly pushing the boundaries and challenging the status quo. If you’re comfortable in today’s business landscape, you’re likely already losing. Businesses that rest on their laurels risk getting left behind in the blink of an eye.
This rapid evolution applies to just about every aspect of our lives, but in the door and window industry specifically, innovations in materials and smart home integrations are transforming the market. Energy efficiency, sustainability, and automation are no longer just buzzwords; they’re the standards that define success.
And it goes beyond the products themselves. It’s about how we think, how we operate, and how we challenge the old-school thinking that often permeates the hierarchy and trickles down to the echelons in the traditional business world. I think it’s becoming very clear that the companies and leaders who will thrive in the next decade will be those risk-takers who stay hungry, evolve faster than the market, and keep their eyes on what’s possible rather than just what’s profitable
So, whether it’s doors, windows, screens, or robotaxis – the future belongs to the innovators.
Let’s make sure we’re one of them.
-Joe Altieri