Many persons think that disruption started with Uber, AirBnB, et al, but in my mind it started years before. When I used to travel a lot back in the day, I did it with the no frills airlines in Europe. That is one of the reasons I was able to travel that much as they were cheap compared to the traditional airlines. I remember making sure I had food in my carryon so that I wouldn’t have to buy food on the plane. 😂. I thought the cost of food was how they made back their money 🤣.

Now when people think of disruption they think technology companies. Yes they are the most outstanding but it’s everywhere. It’s only going to become the norm. Technology rules the world. Any company that sits there thinking that they are safe had better think again. Think about AirBnB. According to Business Insider, the home-sharing platform – which has offerings in 191 countries – outstrips Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Wyndham Worldwide and Accor Hotel Group, which have 3.9 m listings between them. Now think about that, it has more listings than the top five hotels groups in the world put together. Wow is all I can say.

Uber has done something similar to the taxi industry worldwide. I know there are companies out there that are doing something similar to Uber and they don’t want to be called Uber, but seriously if you are using the Uber model, people will call you Uber. 😄. Just saying.

The most striking thing about these two companies is that Uber doesn’t own one taxi and AirBnB doesn’t own a room. Their models have been so disruptive and that’s just the tip of the iceberg in my mind. I haven’t even mentioned Amazon. What can I say about them? More in a future blog.

There are so many companies that are no longer around or no longer dominant because they thought they were safe and in many instances couldn’t make the change. Those days are over. Now somebody explain to me how Kodak could invent the digital camera and basically wither away? Why would the executives think film was here to stay? Did nobody see the writing on the wall? Or were they so arrogant that they ignored the signs? Or is it that they couldn’t make the transition? The mindset is what makes the difference. Look at Fuji films they reinvented themselves and are still relevant. Xerox is no longer a part of language and that was how people would say they were going to photocopy something 😉. “Let me Xerox that.” IBM had to reinvent themselves to remain relevant and even Microsoft. Yes things change rapidly. If you stand still you will fall off the treadmill. That’s how I describe the rapid pace of technological change.

My favorite is the smart phone, who now owns a Blackberry? Remember when they were all the rage? They waited until it was too late to try to take on the iPhone. Google via Android came and they did the job. Again the arrogance of the executive team cause the demise of another dominant company. People need to wake up and smell the coffee. You have to see what is happening and try to figure it out. Look to see if it will affect your industry and inevitably your business and be able to pivot, it might not be easy, but ….. Maybe I’m asking for too much and thinking too deep. I wonder ……

There are so many examples of the effects of disruption. So many industries have been affected and it will not stop it will only gather steam. Let me know your favorite disruption story. Reach out to me via any medium. I want to know what you are thinking.

See you next Wednesday at 8:00 pm.

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