Kodak invented the digital camera—and was destroyed by it. Blockbuster had the chance to buy Netflix—and passed. History is littered with companies that saw change coming but could not—or would not—adapt. How do you ensure your organization is not next?
Recognizing the Signs of Disruption
Industry disruption rarely arrives as a sudden shock. More often, it appears first as a small change at the margins—a new technology, a shifting customer preference, an unconventional competitor. The challenge is recognizing these signals before it is too late to respond.
By the time disruption is obvious, the window for effective response has often closed.
Overcoming the Tyranny of Inertia
The biggest obstacle to adaptation is usually internal. Successful organizations develop processes and cultures optimized for their current business—and these become anchors that resist change. Overcoming this inertia requires deliberate effort and courageous leadership.
- Early Warning Systems: Building mechanisms to detect industry shifts before competitors
- Fighting Inertia: Strategies for overcoming organizational resistance to change
- Building Agility: Creating structures that enable rapid pivots when needed
- Leading Through Uncertainty: Maintaining team morale and focus during transitions
The companies that thrive through disruption are not necessarily the largest or the most established—they are the most adaptable.