This story is so well done. Better than any book I’ve ever read relating to this area. I’ll be buying your paperback. I must confess a preference of the simple explanation offered early on in the article. It’s because “people are stupid”.
But the truth is much deeper and much more useful. I’ve been a consultant to organizations for 40 years. All in the domain of “organization transformation”. I’ve worked with some of the companies in your stories above. I’m back into consulting after a 10 year sabbatical, with a company I’ve named “Disruptive Consulting Inc”. I loved it when advised by many that “the name won’t sell. It will frighten people.” I reply, “That’s kind of the point. I don’t want those people for my clients.”
All of my successes were failures from my point of view. My great intention was to transform organizations — large ones. My successes were all at a factory, coal mine, chemical products producer, oil exploration company, constructor of off-shore oil rigs. The ROIC always skyrocketed as did sales. Each company gave awards to the manager responsible for hiring me and running the corporate end. The boards and executives of these companies hired me to come speak to them and explain what I’d done. But, not single one requested that teach any of their people to do what I did. Not a single one hired me to transform more of their organization. Hence my sabbatical.
I spent my sabbatical joining a team of editors to a coming book on what will happen in the next 40 years or so being written by a well known financial advisor. My inbox was filled every day for over two years with new technology being developed in every field imaginable. I finally decided to get back into consulting and teach people/organizations how to adapt to disruptive and exponential change. It had become glaringly obvious that execs did not have much idea of what was coming down the road.
I just created my company and open my doors (or computer at least) a little over a year ago. Results are looking good for my new clients. But the test is “Will you and your organization transform or will you produce some good results and stop there?” I’ll certainly suggest to my clients that they buy your paperback and I’ll certainly send them access to this article.
Thanks for the great work written in such an entertaining manner!
