The problem lies with the business schools which are at fault. What we’ve done in America is to define profitability in terms of percentages. So if you can get the percentage up, it feels like we are more profitable. It causes us to do things to manipulate the percentage. […] Christensen even suggests that in slavishly following such thinking, Wall Street analysts have outsourced their brains.
Clayton Christensen: How Pursuit of Profits Kills Innovation and the U.S. Economy in Forbes. Hat tip: Lane Becker.
Matt, what do you think about SOPA and the Patriot IP Act? I would love to read your opinion about this law presented by “TEXAN REPUBLICAN” LAMAR SMITH, that will censor and change the internet for ever.
Obviously not crazy about it.
One thing that is obvious Ben is this legislation has the potential to make the everyday guy and gal’s life a lot more complicated and miserable then it needs to be. Especially when the law of unintended consequences kicks in.
Thanks a lot for that post. It have never been possible to chase money alone(or percentages..). You can pursue an idea – then the money follows (I think)
In regards to surprising and delighting customers, a key point toward the end of that article… this was the mantra while I worked at an Apple Store in the year 2006. I’m amused to see the rest of the business world getting privy to the idea over 5 years later!