Most companies are structured and designed to maximize profit and minimize risks, yet they still need to innovate in order to become the disruptor, instead of being the disrupted. Larry Page invests in Google X (like the name!) to work on bold, new projects (i.e., self-driving car). Disney has their own accelerator where employees act like true entrepreneurs with autonomy (Source: BCG). This is essential for these companies to stay relevant. “If the Creator had a purpose in equipping us with a neck, he surely meant us to stick it out.” – Arthur Koestler
While many companies seek breakthrough inventions, being first with new products does not guarantee success. You must be better and different. The MP3 player was first, yet the Apple iPod was better and different (Source: BCG). “The early bird gets the worm, but the second rat gets the cheese.”
Are you the early bird, or the second rat?
