The Innovator's Dilemma

When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail

By: Clayton M. Christensen

Narrated by: Don Leslie

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.

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.

Good content delivered poorly

I found this book interesting, but it was very hard to listen to because of the monotonous voice of the reader. It almost sounded like text-to-speech.

Good insights, not very actionable

The insights contained in this short book are great for understanding why big companies fail to capitalize on disruptive technologies. However, the case studies are fairly limited and focus mostly on the failures, giving the listener a good foundation of what NOT to do, rather than laying down examples of innovators to follow.

powerful ideas

This book has many many useful and provoking ideas small space. A lot of thought went into this. I want to read it again.