It’s Never Too Late

Yesterday I talked about how Lock-in to an old Success Formula kept Sun Microsystems from undertaking Disruptions in the 1990s that would have helped the company keep from floundering.  One could get the point that with this weak economy, the die has been cast and there’s little we can do.  "Oh Contrare little one".

Let’s look at Apple (see chart here) – the company Sun passed up to focus on its core server business in the 1990s.  Today Apple announced profits are up 26% this year – despite the soft economy (read article here).  We all know about the iPod, iTunes, iTouch and now iPhone.  Apple has demonstrated that it is willing to bring out new products in new markets without regard for "market conditions", and as a result drive new revenues and profits.  It would be easy to delay new investments and new launches in this economy to drive up profits, but the company CEO maintains commitment to internal Disruptions and ongoing White Space to drive growth – especially while competitors are retrenching.

Another recent example is Coach (see chart here) the maker of high-end luggage, leather goods and fashion accesories.  Most high-end goods are seeing sales plummet.  But Coach used its scenarios about the future to invest in its 103 factory outlets and many discount outlets.  Instead of running to the high end and doing more of the same, while cutting costs, Coach has put new products into the market and offered new discount programs – in addition to its growth of outlets beyond the traditional Coach stores (read article about Coach here.)

Any company can take action at any time to grow.  All it takes are plans based on future scenarios, rather than based on just doing "more of the same."  Being obsessive about competitors allows for launching new products before anyone else, and gaining share.  And using Disruptions to create White Space for successful new business development.  This can happen at any time – not just when times are good.  In fact, when times are bad (like now) it can be the very best time to focus on growth.  When competitors are trying to retrench it creates the opportunity to change how customers view you, and grow.  This might well be the best time ever to not only Disrupt your own thinking – but Disrupt competitors by changing your Success Formula and doing what’s not expected!

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