This week we began discussing and reading about how
current large companies are at a seeming disadvantage when it comes to handling
emerging technologies in general and disruptive technologies specifically.
While, I agree with the statement, I feel that they have no choice when it
comes to many threats. First, they cannot necessarily see what the potential
competitors are doing and, short of industrial espionage, really don't know
which competitors to take seriously and which to dismiss. They don't know who
is developing something until that information is released to the public and
unless that company is run by morons that shouldn't happen until they are about
to release the product or service for consumption. The trick is to keep up to
date as best as possible and be open to discussing these potential threats as
early as possible. Then, serious contemplation needs to be done before jumping
to react or choosing to "wait and see" whether the threat is any real
danger. My personal opinion, is that the
"wait and see" approach has been too quickly dismissed by the authors
of our reading assignments.
Company culture plays a huge role here. There are
several success stories where so called innovative companies have been very
profitable and the "person at the top" encourages such behavior.
However, there are also many seemingly innovative companies that simply could
not succeed because they do not know how to focus on one idea long enough to
get it to market (everyone wants to plan the menu and no wants to do the
cooking). Furthermore, when we are talking about more established companies,
this is often simply not considered acceptable behavior. Telling the boss that you
have an idea about a product or service that will shorten the life of a
company's cash cow is not usually going to be well received. In many cases,
this behavior will only lead to your dismissal.
So, before you set out to change the world, have
your resume updated.......
Lee
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