Wednesday Keynote Recap: Clayton Christensen
When it comes to understanding the effect of “disruptive technology,” Harvard Professor Clayton Christensen, who coined the phrase more than 15 years ago, is the go-to source. In a compelling keynote Wednesday, he discussed how disruption is continuously afoot in every market and eventually comes to redefine the competitive landscape of nearly every industry from automobile manufacturing to personal computers.
How does it work? When a new entrant to the marketplace attacks the low end of any market, the established dominant leader cedes his position rather than defending it. Why? Because the low end is the least profitable. The next move of the incumbent is to go up-market, towards bigger, better and more profitable products.
In Christensen’s words “it’s how little boys beat giants by disruption.” It’s how Toyota overtook the American auto industry; it accounts for the rise of Salesforce. com and is how Taiwan’s ASUStek attacked Dell.
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By far, the best, most thought-provoking, intelligent, transformational and strategic presentation I have seen in 10 years! Dr. Christensen’s self-effacing, low-key delivery of profound wisdom was priceless and why he is a thought-leader for our country. Simply Amazing – he got a most-deserved standing ovation from us! Innovation is the great equalizer and remains key to our future….
Sonny Bhagowalia
CIO, State of Hawaii
Fabulous story teller. Thank you for a great presentation.
Definitely the highlight of this year’s conference. Dr. Christensen totally deserved the standing ovation in the end.