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Move fast, follow momentum – The future is always changing. Instead, take the mindset of moving fast. B obby Gruenewald opens up the first official session of the Catalyst Atlanta Lab. Bobby is the Pastor and Innovation Leader at LifeChurch.tv. He’s also the founder of the YouVersion Bible App. Are We Predictable? Amazingly, we are pretty predictable. And we don’t even realize it. MORE
Fair or not, Microsoft has long had a reputation for being a fast follower. This week much of the country has been transfixed by the NBA playoffs, in which two 36-year-old superstars — Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs and Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics — have been playing as if they found a time machine. Their success is a reminder that the conventional wisdom that basketball is a game for young people doesn't always apply. MORE
So, what follows is my attempt to answer a few of the most interesting unanswered audience questions. Sometimes the best form of market research is getting out in the market and starting the process of fast-cycle iteration. In many markets, gone are the days where you would carefully optimize a product launch following stage rounds of carefully crafted market research. The world simply moves too fast these days. Or is there an absolute measure we all should follow? MORE
The speed of technology advances in the market are making the old paradigm of first mover versus fast follower largely irrelevant – every business must now become some version of a first mover. Every organization occupies a unique place on the spectrum of digital transformation. Whether they have an accurate perception or understanding of what that means to their business is the bigger concern. MORE
Further, while some start-ups legitimately have the potential to change the world, many more are fast followers looking for a "quick flip." Let me make one thing clear. I love entrepreneurs. I admire their creativity, ingenuity, and perseverance. I have stood in their shoes as we built out Innosight's core business and explored new geographies and offerings. I have also funded many entrepreneurs through our company's venture investment arm. MORE
Many social enterprises start small and grow fast. But it's critically important if yours is a fast-growing organization. But it was growing fast. More importantly, by changing your organization's leadership development mindset, you can create the momentum needed to build a talent pipeline that will keep your organization strong as you grow, and grow fast. MORE
But Samsung’s new mobile wallet strategy may be a sign that they are finally becoming a true leader and shedding their image as a fast follower. The stakes are high in the mobile wallet market, projected to be over $140 billion by 2019. Most recently, Samsung has announced that it will roll out a payment system called Samsung Pay later this year and has already begun beta-testing it in Korea. MORE
Follow him on Twitter at @GreenAdvantage. But dont count them out for long; if theres one thing Chinese companies are good at, its implementing a "fast follower" strategy. But dont count them out for long; if theres one thing Chinese companies are good at, its implementing a "fast follower" strategy. We ask that you adhere to the following guidelines. MORE
The congealing critical consensus is that Johnson's bold overhaul of the sagging American retailing icon went too far too fast. She's outlined a long-term recovery strategy but the congealing critical consensus is that she's simply not moving fast enough. GE's Jack Welch was inordinately fond of emphasizing that his biggest leadership regret was that he didn't move fast enough to make fundamental changes. Failure simply means leadership went too fast or didn't go fast enough. MORE
Fair or not, Microsoft has long had a reputation for being a fast follower. This week much of the country has been transfixed by the NBA playoffs, in which two 36-year-old superstars — Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs and Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics — have been playing as if they found a time machine. Their success is a reminder that the conventional wisdom that basketball is a game for young people doesn't always apply. MORE
In the text that follows, I’ll provide you with 4 constructs to help you evolve your thinking around digital transformation. The only chance businesses have at longevity, much less sustainability, is to stop trying to play catch-up and get out in front – fast. Even the swiftest of fast followers will struggle to not choke on the dust of first movers in today’s world. MORE
Despite what many think, there are not generically great ways to win — e.g., being a first mover or a fast follower or a branded player or a cost leader. The CEO of a large Australian company called me to relay a particular strategy development problem his firm was facing, and ask for my advice. MORE
But don't count them out for long; if there's one thing Chinese companies are good at, it's implementing a "fast follower" strategy. I visited Beijing last week, speaking to a group of corporate executives assembled by a major NGO to work on climate change issues. Besides the meeting itself, I was struck by the considerable focus on green issues in China. Each morning at my hotel I received the China Daily , the country's main English-language newspaper. MORE
Market leaders and fast followers seek transformational change; cautious adopters and laggards dip their toe into incremental change. Market leaders and cautious adopters proactively seek change; fast followers and laggards take a reactive approach. CIOs in market leader and fast-follower organizations can move quickly and push for a great amount of change. The job of Chief Information Officer has never exactly been easy. MORE
For example, new product development may be the lifeblood of a consumer products company—and thus need to be cultivated and resourced carefully—while in a low-cost producer, or fast follower company, product development may be only a nice-to-have activity. A few years ago Dave Ulrich, a management thought leader from the University of Michigan, made a comment I found both insightful and profound: “ Every leader needs to have a model of organization design.” MORE
They are planning to be “fast followers” — a strategy that has worked with most information technologies. Paul Bradbury/Getty Images. While some companies — most large banks, Ford and GM, Pfizer, and virtually all tech firms — are aggressively adopting artificial intelligence, many are not. Instead they are waiting for the technology to mature and for expertise in AI to become more widely available. MORE
” “Not so fast,” Soledad warned. “This is one of the risks of a fast-follower strategy,” Soledad said. “It feels weird eavesdropping like this,” Alejandra Chirinos told Ricardo Rodriguez, her marketing VP, and Miguel Martinez, her head of sales. MORE
There is still a debate in strategy circles about whether it is better to be the first mover or a fast follower, and whether missing out on the first wave of disruptive innovation means falling behind forever. If you can't do it right the first time, then do it better the second time. That's one of my favorite guideposts for sustainable business success, and Verizon is my latest poster child for this truth of business strategy (and life). MORE
In my experience, most companies are risk-averse and like to fashion themselves as great “fast followers.” But Kruschwitz makes an important point: “Being a fast follower on climate change…may be more complex and require longer lead times than most companies are anticipating.” Are managers particularly concerned about the impacts of climate change on their businesses? If we believe the results of a recent MIT Sloan and BCG survey , the answer is no. MORE
Before you draw the conclusion blogging is dead, you might want to read the text that follows… Don’t Believe Everything You Read – Especially When It’s Labeled As Research. Even if their mistakes are not fatal, many times they serve to blaze a better trail for others to follow by removing and/or diminishing barriers to entry. Many successful bloggers today were not necessarily first-movers, but rather fast-followers able to leap frog the early adopters. MORE
Samsung has built its name over the past two decades on being the world's greatest Fast Follower. The real impact of the Apple verdict is to make it clear to the whole world what forward-looking innovators have known for some time: that following is no longer the safest bet in consumer goods. Apple's recent legal victory over Samsung has prompted an outpouring of worried speculation about the future of technology and design that's almost unprecedented. MORE
China's brilliant "Fast Follower" innovation policy is generating the biggest transfer of technology in history. President Obama gave a stirring speech last night, saying "We need to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world." He used the word "innovate" more times in his State of the Union than any other U.S. president. To those of us who believe the future of the country depends on its innovative capabilities, this was hugely positive. MORE
Here's one of the biggest that would-be innovators should ask: Should I lead or follow? Is the advantage to the "first mover" or should you be a "fast follower"? But make sure that when you say that you want to be a fast follower you aren't really saying, "Can't I just go back to running my core business?" Transformational developments are swirling around the banking industry — as they are in nearly every industry. MORE
Even when Bezos appears to be a fast follower, he's attempting to generate leapfrog momentum. Perhaps Jeff Bezos reread Sun Tzu on his Kindle. His " Fire " fight is neither a declaration of tablet war nor a clashing of clouds. It's much, much bigger. Steve Jobs, Larry and Sergey, Reed Hastings, Steve Ballmer, and Mark Zuckerberg know exactly what's going on. Amazon has plunked itself smack dab in the middle of their own business models and aspirations. MORE
The contrast could not be clearer: Amazon – fearlessly making big, risky bets like a serial entrepreneur; and Microsoft, eschewing disruptive innovation in favor of remaining the “ fast follower ” it has always been, wringing profit from previously proven technologies. What defines success for a business? For most of the last century, it was profits. MORE
The thing you want to be these days is a “fast follower.” Instead, you want to quickly follow the first movers who are trying to capitalize on a blossoming trend. In order to play a high-speed game, you need team members who can work at a fast pace—and you also need a team than can work without friction. MORE
In the 1970s, particularly following the oil crisis of 1973, developing countries used the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which had been set up in 1964 as a counter to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT, the forerunner of the World Trade Organization, WTO), to press for changes in the management of the global economic system. The choice of who will lead the World Bank has been made. MORE
The idea is to fast-forward a project, so you can see what the end result might look like and how the market will react. Sprints encourage fast follow-up. ANDREW NGUYEN/hbr staff. Most workdays aren’t terribly productive. We spend too much time on email, have too many meetings, then struggle to find the willpower and energy to focus on what’s really important. MORE
Fast Follower Related Topics Harvard Business Review
JUNE 14, 2012
Here's one of the biggest that would-be innovators should ask: Should I lead or follow? Is the advantage to the "first mover" or should you be a "fast follower"? But make sure that when you say that you want to be a fast follower you aren't really saying, "Can't I just go back to running my core business?" Transformational developments are swirling around the banking industry — as they are in nearly every industry.
N2Growth Blog
SEPTEMBER 29, 2018
In the text that follows, I’ll provide you with 4 constructs to help you evolve your thinking around digital transformation. The only chance businesses have at longevity, much less sustainability, is to stop trying to play catch-up and get out in front – fast. Even the swiftest of fast followers will struggle to not choke on the dust of first movers in today’s world.
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N2Growth Blog
JANUARY 11, 2017
The speed of technology advances in the market are making the old paradigm of first mover versus fast follower largely irrelevant – every business must now become some version of a first mover. Every organization occupies a unique place on the spectrum of digital transformation. Whether they have an accurate perception or understanding of what that means to their business is the bigger concern.
Leading Blog
MARCH 18, 2011
The thing you want to be these days is a “fast follower.” Instead, you want to quickly follow the first movers who are trying to capitalize on a blossoming trend. In order to play a high-speed game, you need team members who can work at a fast pace—and you also need a team than can work without friction.
Joseph Lalonde
OCTOBER 7, 2015
Move fast, follow momentum – The future is always changing. Instead, take the mindset of moving fast. B obby Gruenewald opens up the first official session of the Catalyst Atlanta Lab. Bobby is the Pastor and Innovation Leader at LifeChurch.tv. He’s also the founder of the YouVersion Bible App. Are We Predictable? Amazingly, we are pretty predictable. And we don’t even realize it.
N2Growth Blog
APRIL 29, 2012
Before you draw the conclusion blogging is dead, you might want to read the text that follows… Don’t Believe Everything You Read – Especially When It’s Labeled As Research. Even if their mistakes are not fatal, many times they serve to blaze a better trail for others to follow by removing and/or diminishing barriers to entry. Many successful bloggers today were not necessarily first-movers, but rather fast-followers able to leap frog the early adopters.
Harvard Business
APRIL 3, 2017
Despite what many think, there are not generically great ways to win — e.g., being a first mover or a fast follower or a branded player or a cost leader. The CEO of a large Australian company called me to relay a particular strategy development problem his firm was facing, and ask for my advice.
Harvard Business
DECEMBER 6, 2018
They are planning to be “fast followers” — a strategy that has worked with most information technologies. Paul Bradbury/Getty Images. While some companies — most large banks, Ford and GM, Pfizer, and virtually all tech firms — are aggressively adopting artificial intelligence, many are not. Instead they are waiting for the technology to mature and for expertise in AI to become more widely available.
Harvard Business Review
AUGUST 31, 2011
Further, while some start-ups legitimately have the potential to change the world, many more are fast followers looking for a "quick flip." Let me make one thing clear. I love entrepreneurs. I admire their creativity, ingenuity, and perseverance. I have stood in their shoes as we built out Innosight's core business and explored new geographies and offerings. I have also funded many entrepreneurs through our company's venture investment arm.
Harvard Business Review
MARCH 4, 2014
In my experience, most companies are risk-averse and like to fashion themselves as great “fast followers.” But Kruschwitz makes an important point: “Being a fast follower on climate change…may be more complex and require longer lead times than most companies are anticipating.” Are managers particularly concerned about the impacts of climate change on their businesses? If we believe the results of a recent MIT Sloan and BCG survey , the answer is no.
Harvard Business
JULY 7, 2016
” “Not so fast,” Soledad warned. “This is one of the risks of a fast-follower strategy,” Soledad said. “It feels weird eavesdropping like this,” Alejandra Chirinos told Ricardo Rodriguez, her marketing VP, and Miguel Martinez, her head of sales.
Harvard Business Review
JUNE 8, 2012
Fair or not, Microsoft has long had a reputation for being a fast follower. This week much of the country has been transfixed by the NBA playoffs, in which two 36-year-old superstars — Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs and Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics — have been playing as if they found a time machine. Their success is a reminder that the conventional wisdom that basketball is a game for young people doesn't always apply.
Harvard Business Review
JUNE 8, 2012
Fair or not, Microsoft has long had a reputation for being a fast follower. This week much of the country has been transfixed by the NBA playoffs, in which two 36-year-old superstars — Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs and Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics — have been playing as if they found a time machine. Their success is a reminder that the conventional wisdom that basketball is a game for young people doesn't always apply.
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Harvard Business Review
JANUARY 26, 2011
China's brilliant "Fast Follower" innovation policy is generating the biggest transfer of technology in history. President Obama gave a stirring speech last night, saying "We need to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world." He used the word "innovate" more times in his State of the Union than any other U.S. president. To those of us who believe the future of the country depends on its innovative capabilities, this was hugely positive.
Harvard Business Review
MARCH 15, 2016
The idea is to fast-forward a project, so you can see what the end result might look like and how the market will react. Sprints encourage fast follow-up. ANDREW NGUYEN/hbr staff. Most workdays aren’t terribly productive. We spend too much time on email, have too many meetings, then struggle to find the willpower and energy to focus on what’s really important.
Harvard Business Review
JULY 27, 2015
But Samsung’s new mobile wallet strategy may be a sign that they are finally becoming a true leader and shedding their image as a fast follower. The stakes are high in the mobile wallet market, projected to be over $140 billion by 2019. Most recently, Samsung has announced that it will roll out a payment system called Samsung Pay later this year and has already begun beta-testing it in Korea.
Harvard Business Review
SEPTEMBER 6, 2012
Samsung has built its name over the past two decades on being the world's greatest Fast Follower. The real impact of the Apple verdict is to make it clear to the whole world what forward-looking innovators have known for some time: that following is no longer the safest bet in consumer goods. Apple's recent legal victory over Samsung has prompted an outpouring of worried speculation about the future of technology and design that's almost unprecedented.
Harvard Business Review
JANUARY 10, 2011
There is still a debate in strategy circles about whether it is better to be the first mover or a fast follower, and whether missing out on the first wave of disruptive innovation means falling behind forever. If you can't do it right the first time, then do it better the second time. That's one of my favorite guideposts for sustainable business success, and Verizon is my latest poster child for this truth of business strategy (and life).
Harvard Business Review
JUNE 1, 2015
The contrast could not be clearer: Amazon – fearlessly making big, risky bets like a serial entrepreneur; and Microsoft, eschewing disruptive innovation in favor of remaining the “ fast follower ” it has always been, wringing profit from previously proven technologies. What defines success for a business? For most of the last century, it was profits.
Harvard Business Review
FEBRUARY 12, 2013
Many social enterprises start small and grow fast. But it's critically important if yours is a fast-growing organization. But it was growing fast. More importantly, by changing your organization's leadership development mindset, you can create the momentum needed to build a talent pipeline that will keep your organization strong as you grow, and grow fast.
Harvard Business Review
NOVEMBER 14, 2012
The congealing critical consensus is that Johnson's bold overhaul of the sagging American retailing icon went too far too fast. She's outlined a long-term recovery strategy but the congealing critical consensus is that she's simply not moving fast enough. GE's Jack Welch was inordinately fond of emphasizing that his biggest leadership regret was that he didn't move fast enough to make fundamental changes. Failure simply means leadership went too fast or didn't go fast enough.
Harvard Business Review
MARCH 12, 2012
So, what follows is my attempt to answer a few of the most interesting unanswered audience questions. Sometimes the best form of market research is getting out in the market and starting the process of fast-cycle iteration. In many markets, gone are the days where you would carefully optimize a product launch following stage rounds of carefully crafted market research. The world simply moves too fast these days. Or is there an absolute measure we all should follow?
Harvard Business Review
NOVEMBER 22, 2010
But don't count them out for long; if there's one thing Chinese companies are good at, it's implementing a "fast follower" strategy. I visited Beijing last week, speaking to a group of corporate executives assembled by a major NGO to work on climate change issues. Besides the meeting itself, I was struck by the considerable focus on green issues in China. Each morning at my hotel I received the China Daily , the country's main English-language newspaper.
Harvard Business Review
SEPTEMBER 29, 2011
Even when Bezos appears to be a fast follower, he's attempting to generate leapfrog momentum. Perhaps Jeff Bezos reread Sun Tzu on his Kindle. His " Fire " fight is neither a declaration of tablet war nor a clashing of clouds. It's much, much bigger. Steve Jobs, Larry and Sergey, Reed Hastings, Steve Ballmer, and Mark Zuckerberg know exactly what's going on. Amazon has plunked itself smack dab in the middle of their own business models and aspirations.
Harvard Business Review
NOVEMBER 22, 2010
Follow him on Twitter at @GreenAdvantage. But dont count them out for long; if theres one thing Chinese companies are good at, its implementing a "fast follower" strategy. But dont count them out for long; if theres one thing Chinese companies are good at, its implementing a "fast follower" strategy. We ask that you adhere to the following guidelines.
Harvard Business Review
APRIL 18, 2012
In the 1970s, particularly following the oil crisis of 1973, developing countries used the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which had been set up in 1964 as a counter to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT, the forerunner of the World Trade Organization, WTO), to press for changes in the management of the global economic system. The choice of who will lead the World Bank has been made.
Harvard Business Review
JANUARY 23, 2014
For example, new product development may be the lifeblood of a consumer products company—and thus need to be cultivated and resourced carefully—while in a low-cost producer, or fast follower company, product development may be only a nice-to-have activity. A few years ago Dave Ulrich, a management thought leader from the University of Michigan, made a comment I found both insightful and profound: “ Every leader needs to have a model of organization design.”
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