This one is coincidental, as we're just now getting around to discussing Disruptive Technologies in our ITmgmt course. I personally think the entire course could (or should) have been focused on that, but I don't make the syllabus. Oh well...A few weeks back I talked about a B.S.Report podcast between Bill Simmons and Chuck Klosterman where they discussed the downfall of the newspaper industry and some of the reasons this was happening.
As a follow-up to that discussion, Bill interviewed (right side of page) John A. Walsh, one of the Sr.Execs at ESPN behind ESPN.com and SportsCenter. Not only did Walsh provide additional reasons why the newspaper (and traditional news) industries are struggling, but he provided excellent insight into the mindset that is needed to truly create disruption within an existing marketplace. His passion for creating change and thinking differently comes through in ways that make you wish that you were working on one his projects right now!!
If you get a chance, take a listen for the first 30 minutes (or more) and then determine which end of disruption your business is on today. And keep in mind that ESPN began during the middle of the 18% interest rates and recession of the early 1980's. There may be no better time than now to be disruptive.
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