The Innovator's Dilemma

When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail

By: Clayton M. Christensen

Narrated by: Don Leslie

Length: 2 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Great companies can fail: not because they do anything wrong, but because they do everything right. Meeting customers' current needs leads firms to reject breakthrough innovations, "disruptive technologies", that create the products and opportunities of the future.

Radical thinking...and a wake-up call. Citing examples from many industries (computers, retailing, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, steel), Clayton M. Christensen explains how to avoid a similar fate. He presents strategies for determining when not to listen to customers, when to pursue small markets at the expense of larger ones, and other ways to ensure long-term growth and profit. This award-winning audiobook shows managers the changes that may be coming: and how to respond for success.

©1997, 2000 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. Published by arrangement with Harvard Business School Press (P)2000 HighBridge Company

Dry

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Really dry and nothing earthshattering but business lovers will like it. There are likely more interesting profiles that could have been used for examples.

Every business person should read this.

Every business person should read this. Quick, easy and to the point. If you what to know more of the psychology of companies and why they have so many issues with disruptive technologies, read former Intel CEO Andrew S. Grove's book: Only the Paranoid Survive: How to Exploit the Crisis Points That Challenge Every Company.

So so

This is a better read for someone in a higher management position. Rather then for a person newer to management.

Great content, but repetitive

Would you try another book from Clayton M. Christensen and/or Don Leslie?

Yes, Christensen is great. How Will You Measure Your Life was much better

If you’ve listened to books by Clayton M. Christensen before, how does this one compare?

Great single idea, but I feel it could have been a long magazine article

What aspect of Don Leslie’s performance would you have changed?

None

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

NA

Any additional comments?

The difficulty of any audible book is the narrator. The narrator of this book was dry, mono toned and easily lost. I would appreciate to hear this book with someone else

Mostly a summary, but still good content

This audiobook really could've been covered in about 15 minutes: if you're trying to create innovation, you have to spin it out from the host organization. Nevertheless this is an excellent book.

Short, sweet, useful.

So much insight packed into this easy to listen to book. A must read for any young and old and in-between CEO and thought leader

Great examples to support the story

Where does The Innovator's Dilemma rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is not the best but a strong contender for 2nd or 3rd over all in my current audiobook library (5 books)

What other book might you compare The Innovator's Dilemma to and why?

I would compare the Innovator's Dilemma to the Lean Startup because the covers similar situations and steps to get a startup off the ground successfully.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Don Leslie?

Don hits the nail on the head about why great corporations struggle with Innovation. I've worked at 4 fortune 100 companies in my career so far and I've seen the same trend within the corporations even though they are of different industries (Retail, Technology and Energy).

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely!! I was surprised of how quickly i was able to complete the book.

Leading on the tech edge

The Innovators Dilemma looks at why many big companies struggle to introduce new disruptive technologies. The slow turn around in seeing substantial profits and the small percentages that the new venture may show on the books often leads to failure if not addressed through acquisition.

Truly life changing concepts

I got a few very important concepts from this book. As an entrepreneur i was seeking guidance on why my attempts to innovate or invent fell short of the mark and this book highlights some potential reasons why. It definitely fills a piece of the puzzle and given its short length is a must read for all.

A bit of a text book feel but worth it

I started this book because it was mentioned in the Steve Jobs bio. While the writing sounds a bit like it is supposed to be a textbook, the concepts are fascinating and important. It is a must read for anyone with a business or managing a group.