General Electric 1890, IBM 1896, General Motors 1908, Disney 1923, Tollhouse Cookies 1933, Burger King 1953, Microsoft 1975, CNN 1980, MTV 1981, Apple 1975 & 2001.
What do all of these companies and others have in common? Someone thought to be disruptive at a time when most hunkered down and played it safe.
Frank Whittle dismissed the scientific community’s scoffs about his small company’s jet engine ideas. His boldness not only altered modern aviation but World War II.
All of these companies exist today because they were creative disruptors who dared to believe that their ideas were relevant, new and potentially revenue-building. They ignored naysayers and the conservative bunch. They took a lot of heat for being dreamers. They were called crazy. Many stayed up at night wondering if they were doing the right thing. Others questioned if they should take risks in such an economic environment.
Fast forward to 2011. We are supposedly just coming out of a recession, but it doesn’t feel that way. The housing market remains extremely weak. Oil prices have skyrocketed. The unemployment rate remains high. Financial markets are volatile, and companies are not replacing people but making do with less staff.
Look at the list again.
Now is not the time to bury our heads in the sand. IT IS THE TIME TO REBEL AND CREATE.
If you are a CEO, it’s time to empower your teams to think big, think different and take chances.
If you are a future entrepreneur, understand your idea is not crazy but waiting to be fulfilled.
If you are unemployed, you are now a potential business owner who can turn dreams into reality.
If you are a student, get ready for a wonderful world that thrives on disruption and creativity.
The list above only proves you’re in good company.
Go forth and CREATE!
Great Post Antonio!
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