Most people by now know that the origin of the Graphic User Interface that Apple enriched was Xerox PARC and not apple itself. Graphic User Interface or GUI has been revolutionary in computers. Absence GUI we still would be typing silly commands with < and > signs etc. Though Xerox PARC invented GUI it is worth noticing that they did not know not only how effectively to use it but also what lies in future with the help of GUI. Why? It was Apple and later on Microsoft that took GUI to the next level whereby every elementary school kid now uses GUI without even knowing it!
“You’ve Got Mail!” How many 7-8 year old kids today know about this expression? I myself came to know about this expression because I watched a movie by the same name. But ask folks older than me say those in North America who started using dial-up network and computers in early 1990’s. It was a message from AOL whenever you would receive an email. In early 1990’s (by my understanding) AOL was the Facebook of that time. Your news, email, chat even the internet connection was AOL. AOL was a web world at that time. Now ask 7-8 year old about Facebook. She/he probably not only has an account but cannot live with it. If you ask the same 7-8 year old about AOL “What’s that?” would be a typical reply. At one time in recent history AOL was the Facebook but it could not capitalize on the early innovative advantage that it had in a changing web and digital world. Why?
Many of you might remember that we used to use MSN Messenger or Yahoo Messenger. Remember those good old days? These messengers had everything that we needed at that time and most of the things that Facebook offers today. What they lacked was sharing of information or your life with your friends. These messengers enriched our social media life but could not capitalize on early innovative advantage. Why?
How many people use Tablets these days? A bunch! Who dominates the tablet market? Apple! Who introduced Tablet PC to the world? Not Steve Jobs! No!! In Jobs’ words “unimaginative” Bill Gates introduced Tablet PC in 2002. Apple introduced iPad in 2010. Eight years after Microsoft introduced the tablet. During the introduction of Tablet PC Bill Gates said this, “By the end of a decade we’ll look back and say, ‘Was there ever a time where computing didn’t involve having these types of applications and this kind of accessibility to information’.” Boy oh Boy was he not right! In fact when Steve Jobs heard flattering words about Microsoft’s Tablet PC he took that as a challenge and determined to show the world how a real Tablet should look like!
Where is Microsoft today in Tablet PC? Nowhere! Why the company that introduced Tablet PC could not capitalize on early innovative advantage?
In all these examples the theme is same. Many companies introduce revolutionary ideas but do not capitalize on these revolutionary ideas in distant or long future. Why these companies miss the advantage they have?
