To escape the curse of commoditization, a company has to be a game-changer, and that requires employees who are proactive, inventive and zealous.
Gary HamelRead
At a big company, often size turns into constipation; it fogs the lens about what's really happening. Sometimes with size and success comes the notion that since we've done things to be successful, we have the formula and can institutionalize it. That can be death.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Large companies can become rigid and lose touch with reality due to their own success.
In this quote, Mark Parker reflects on the challenges that come with the growth and success of a large company. He suggests that as organizations expand, they may become less flexible, leading to a disconnect from the true feelings and needs of their employees and customers. This 'constipation' can create an illusion that past successes provide a guaranteed formula for future achievements, which can hinder innovation and ultimately lead to failure.
Themes
BusinessSuccessGrowthFlexibilityInnovation
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a business meeting to highlight the importance of staying adaptable.
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