A product needs to be sufficiently innovative to distinguish itself from the pack, but not so forward thinking as to alienate the user.
Interpretation
Products should be innovative enough to stand out, yet accessible enough not to alienate users.
This quote by Reid Hoffman emphasizes the delicate balance that product developers must maintain between innovation and usability. While it is crucial for a product to offer unique features that set it apart from competitors, there is a fine line where excessive innovation can deter users who may find the advancements too complex or unfamiliar. Thus, the quote underscores the importance of aligning innovation with user needs to ensure successful adoption.
In practice
In a presentation on product strategy, one might quote this to highlight the importance of user-centered design.
Leaders, whether in the public or the private sphere, must understand the responsibilities that come with their role. They are the most visible standard-bearers of their organizations. Holding them accountable to this responsibility protects the promise of our organizations and our communities.
The same instincts that make us good students can make us lousy entrepreneurs.
The entrepreneurial journey starts with jumping off a cliff and assembling an airplane on the way down.
Any effort to make the death penalty speedier and less costly - more 'efficient' - will inevitably make it less just.
I've long believed that if you're not embarrassed by your first product release, you've released too late.
Good ideas need good strategy to realize their potential.
Television isn't inherently good or bad. You go to a bookstore, there are how many thousands of books, but how many of those do you want? Five? Television's the same way. If you're going to show people stuff, television is the way to go. Words and pictures show things.
We should set a national goal of making computers and Internet access available for every American . . . we must help all Americans gain the skills they need to make the most of the connection.
The Internet in the 21st Century is as important to our future as highways were in the 20th Century. Like a highway, the Internet must remain free and open for all - not determined by the highest bidders.
In many ways, I am very happy about the whole Linux commercial market because the commercial market is doing all these things that I have absolutely zero interest in doing myself.
Technology is rooted in the past. It dominates the present and tends into the future. It is a real historical movement - one of the great movements which shape and represent their epoch.
I think Amazon is the greatest start-up and the greatest company in the world. The way they are using new technologies is not just disrupting retail, it's getting ready to disrupt everything.
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