 |
|
|
|||||
Kelly Slater is the undisputed GOAT of surfing. The 53-year-old has won 11 world titlesincluding being both the youngest and oldest champ ever at 20 and 39, respectivelyand has competed regularly on the pro tour until just last year. Hes not even officially retired yet. Slater has also built multiple businesses, beyond his endorsement deals. One of those is apparel brand Outerknown, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. It’s been a labor of love for Slater, who along with cofounder John Moore, had a commitment from the beginning to make it as sustainable and responsible as possible. Last month, the company dropped the Apex Trunk by Kelly Slater, the first-ever performance four-way stretch board short made from 90% recycled fishing nets from Bureo. Slater says the trunks, aimed at performance surfers, represent both the future of the brand, and a culmination of its long-standing goals. Were definitely making a move towards some very specific, little more hardcore surf stuff, says Slater, on the phone from his home on Hawaiis North Shore. Outerknown has largely produced apparel for the lifestyle around surfingshirts, denim, sweaters. But now the brand is creating a line of surf-specific gear under Slaters name, set for 2026. Slater compares the Apex trunk design to playing the guitar. Ive played music for 30 years, and you can add all kinds of things to a song, but when you make a nice, good melody, you can strip it back to the basics and you have what you need, says Slater. And for me, that’s kind of what this trunk is. It also represents a broader opportunity. Over the past couple of years, surfings traditional brand giants have been in an unprecedented state of flux and upheaval that has seen majors like Billabong, Volcom, Quiksilver, and more get stripped down and change ownership, with some getting acquired by Authentic Brands Group in 2023. That has given surfer-owned and operated companies like Outerknown, John John Florences Florence brand, Dane Reynoldss Chapter 11, and Julian Wilsons Rivvia Projects the chance to simplify and redefine what the core surf industry looks like. For Outerknown right now, its all about the new trunks. Wave of the future The new Apex trunk underwent more than three years of R&D, as Moore, Slater, and the brands designers worked closely with Bureo on the cut and materials. Slater and other brand ambassadors tested it in waves across Sri Lanka, Australia, Hawaii, and beyond. Slater says designing a surf trunk is more complicated than it seems. Sometimes people want a multitasking amphibian short, that performs the same on the beach as in the streets. But when it comes to just going for a long surf session, I just need something that performs really simply, says Slater. And I don’t even mean to say it performs, it just doesn’t get in the way. We think of the type of string we’re going to use so it doesn’t untie, and make sure that the length is just right, so it doesn’t look too short. But if it’s too long, it’s caught on the knee, so there’s a little scallop on the side to give you a little bit more of a stretch to the side. Very simple things to get a streamlined product. But to do that, there’s years of thought and technology and ideas that go into this one product. Moore says that the connection between the new Apex trunk and Outerknowns lifestyle apparel is about looking at design from a surfing perspective. Wherever our travels take us, surfing is one part of that, so it’s about, how do we make clothes that are built better, feel better, fit better, and do it through our surfers lens? says Moore. It just feels like we’re finally at a place where we can really focus on what matters and what works, and we know who our customers are, we know what they want, and we’re getting better at making it. Under one roof A decade ago, Outerknown was launched with fanfare, some surfer skepticism, and a lot of challenges. Founded by Slater and Moore, the brand was also backed by luxury brand owner the Kering Group as a minority stakeholder. Slaters goal, inspired in part by Patagonia, was to make the most responsible clothing possibleorganic cotton, fair labor practices. The challenge was making that happen when the supply chain wasnt really there, especially for the small numbers Outerknown was starting out with. That led to much higher prices, which made many surfers scoff at $300 shirts and $170 trunks. The early days were super tough, says Slater. But gradually, the company was able to grow its community and scale, opening eight retail locations in Malibu, California, as well as cities like New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C. There will still be scoffs at the new Apex trunks $168 price tag, but Slater says there are people who do care about a products provenance. A lot of people don’t realize that to do things right and responsibly, to take care of your workers, and to use the good recycled textiles or organic products, all those things are infinitely more expensive, he says. For its first decade, Outerknown could be described as a surf-adjacent brand. Mostly street clothes and apparel, designed from a surfing perspective. But starting with the new Apex trunks, the brand will now be stocking in surf shops and creating more products to make that connection more explicit. The catalyst for that was Slaters move last year to move his three primary companiesOuterknown, Firewire Surfboards, and Slater Designsunder one parent company roof. Surf industry vet and Firewire CEO Dylan Slater (no relation) was named chief executive of the new company. He says that the brands complement each other in some obvious ways, but also plenty behind the scenes. Outerknown is primarily a U.S.-based business, while Firewire is global. There’s some really unique ways they can support one another, he says. We have aspirations to make Outerknown globally accessible, and we expect that to happen in the next 6 to 12 months. The brands can also collaborate around products, and have some more exposure to their respective audiences, with surfboards in Outerknown stores and things like that. Moore is excited to see Outerknown go directly to a more hardcore surf audience, especially amid the recent consolidation of the traditional surf brand powerhouses. Over the years, everything became very corporate and, I would argue, kind of a sea of sameness, he says. I think surfing has always been at its core about individuality and finding your own flow through life or on a wave. We’re doing it our way, and with all the evolution in the marketplace, it feels like an opportunity for usto take it to the next level.
Category:
E-Commerce
Time is running short for customers of Joann. Thats because in just a few more days, the beloved fabrics and crafts retailers will have closed 255 locations across America. And by the end of next month, all its locations will be shuttered for good. Heres what you need to know about Aprils round of Joann stores closing, including the locations of the closing stores and the dates they are expected to close. Why is Joanns closing? Like many once-ubiquitous large retail chains, Joann Inc. has faced years of financial struggles that have only gotten worse thanks to rising inflation, consumers cutting back on discretionary spending, and the increased prevalence of people preferring to shop online. For Joann, its financial burdens became too much, and the company decided to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February, its second bankruptcy in less than a year. As part of that bankruptcy process, its assets were sold off, and all of its around 800 stores are being liquidated. Which Joanns stores are closing in April? A total of 255 Joann stores are closing in April, according to a spokesperson for GA Group, the asset firm that took control of Joann after its bankruptcy. (The list was reported earlier by USA Today.) Those stores have been running liquidation sales all month, and as those sales conclude, the stores will be shut for good. In fact, the closing dates for many of those stores have already passed. But more than 100 locations are expected to close their doors today. Joanns store closing list and dates Below is a list of the Joann stores that are closing in April 2025. The closing dates are listed in parentheses. GA Group has confirmed the list and dates with Fast Company. (In addition to this list, Joann still has more than 500 locations that will continue operating into next month.) Alaska Anchorage University Center AK (04/23/2025) Soldotna Soldotna Plaza AK (04/27/2025) Alabama Tuscaloosa Freestanding AL (04/27/2025) Florence Cox Creek Plaza AL (04/28/2025) Montgomery Eastchase Market SC AL (04/28/2025) Arkansas Jonesboro University Plaza AR (04/25/2025) No Little Rock Lakewood Village AR (04/26/2025) Little Rock Shackleford Crossing AR (04/27/2025) Fort Smith Fort Smith Marketplace AR (04/28/2025) Arizona Casa Grande Tri Valley Plaza AZ (04/25/2025) Green Valley Sahuarita Plaza AZ (04/27/2025) Tucson Oracle Wetmore AZ (04/28/2025) Phoenix Arcadia Fiesta SC AZ (04/28/2025) California Bakersfield Ming Retail Center CA (04/24/2025) Eureka Harris Street CA (04/25/2025) Corte Madera Tamal Vista Blvd. CA (04/25/2025) Yuba City Raley’s Center CA (04/26/2025) Sonora Sonora Crossroads CA (04/26/2025) Alhambra Costco Plaza CA (04/26/2025) Riverside Riverside Plaza CA (04/26/2025) La Verne La Verne Plaza CA (04/26/2025) National City Bay Plaza S/C CA (04/26/2025) La Canada Foothill Blvd. CA (04/27/2025) Woodland Westgate S/C CA (04/28/2025) Jackson Grocery Outlet SC CA (04/28/2025) San Mateo South El Camino Real CA (04/28/2025) Redwood City Peninsula Boardwalk CA (04/28/2025) Morgan Hill Tennant Station S/C CA (04/28/2025) Long Beach Los Coyotes Centers CA (04/28/2025) Colorado Pueblo Pueblo Mall CO (04/27/2025) Connecticut Clinton Clinton Commons S/C CT (04/26/2025) Brookfield Shop Rite Plaza CT (04/26/2025) Hamden Hamden Mart S/C CT (04/28/2025) Florida Spring Hill Lakewood Plaza FL (04/24/2025) Miami Flagler Park Plaza FL (04/24/2025) Hollywood Hollywood Blvd FL (04/24/2025) Pembroke Pines 11251 Pines Blvd. FL (04/24/2025) Wellington Shoppes at Isla Verde FL (04/24/2025) Port Richey Home Depot Plaza FL (04/26/2025) Estero Coconut Pointe FL (04/26/2025) Miami The Greenery FL (04/26/2025) Plantation The Fountains FL (04/26/2025) Margate Margate Shopping Center FL (04/26/2025) Vero Beach Century Town Center FL (04/26/2025) Fort Walton Beach Mariner Plaza FL (04/28/2025) Destin Shoppes at Paradise Key FL (04/28/2025) Tampa Market Square at Tampa Palms FL (04/28/2025) Venice Venice Village FL (04/28/2025) Miami JOANN Fabrics Plaza FL (04/28/2025) Pompano Beach Pompano Marketplace FL (04/28/2025) Boynton Beach Riverwalk Shopping Plaza FL (04/28/2025) West Palm Beach Northlake Commons FL (04/28/2025) Sanford Town Center Plaza FL (04/28/2025) Georgia Warner Robins Willow Lake Crossing GA (04/19/2025) Newnan Newnan Pavilion GA (04/23/2025) Macon Shoppes at River Crossing GA (04/24/2025) Fayetteville Fayette Pavilion GA (04/26/2025) Brunswick Golden Isles Plaza GA (04/26/2025) Cumming Lakeland Plaza GA (04/27/2025) Conyers Conyers Plaza GA (04/27/2025) Duluth Pleasant Hill Square GA (04/28/2025) Douglasville Douglas Corners S/C GA (04/28/2025) Iowa Mason City Willow Creek Crossing IA (04/28/2025) Muscatine Muscatine Mall IA (04/28/2025) Illinois Galesburg Eagle Center IL (04/24/2025) Crestwood Rivercrest Centre IL (04/25/2025) Mchenry Shops At Fox River IL (04/26/2025) Joliet Joliet Commons IL (04/26/2025) Wheaton Danada Square West S/C IL (04/26/2025) Champaign Champaign Town Center IL (04/26/2025) Quincy Quincy Mall IL (04/27/2025) Carbondale University Plaza S/C IL (04/27/2025) Freeport Freeport Shopping Center IL (04/28/2025) Niles Four Flaggs S/C IL (04/28/2025) Norridge Norridge Marketplace IL (04/28/2025) Sterling terling Lincoln Center IL (04/28/2025) Lombard High Point Centre IL (04/28/2025) Chicago Jo!co Square IL (04/28/2025) Peru Peru Mall IL (04/28/2025) Bourbonnais Bradley Commons IL (04/28/2025) Mattoon Cross County Mall IL (04/28/2025) Danville Village Mall IL (04/28/2025) Indiana Columbus Eastbrook Plaza IN (04/24/2025) Michigan City Lake Park S/C IN (04/25/2025) Bedford Town Fair Center IN (04/26/2025) Jasper Germantown Center IN (04/27/2025) Plymouth Pilgrim Place S/C IN (04/27/2025) Angola Angola Plaza IN (04/27/2025) Marion Five Points Mall IN (04/27/2025) Richmond Wal-Mart Plaza IN (04/27/2025) Vincennes Vincennes Plaza IN (04/28/2025) Indianapolis Washington Plaza IN (04/28/2025) South Bend Broadmoor Plaza IN (04/28/2025) Kansas Lawrence Park Plaza KS (04/26/2025) Salina Central Mall KS (04/28/2025) Kentucky Elizabethtown Towne Centre KY (04/26/2025) Ashland Ashland Towne Center KY (04/26/2025) Owensboro Owensboro Towne Center KY (04/27/2025) Glasgow Barren River Plaza KY (04/28/2025) Corbin Trademart Shopping Center KY (04/28/2025) Louisana Slidell Village at Northshore LA (04/16/2025) Shreveport Bayou Walk Shopping Center LA (04/26/2025) Alexandria Power Center LA (04/28/2025) Gretna Westside North Shopping Center LA (04/28/2025) Massachusetts Methuen Village Mall MA (04/24/2025) North Dartmouth Dartmouth Town Ctr MA (04/26/2025) Leominster Mall at Whitney Field MA (04/28/2025) Hyannis Christmas Tree Promenade MA (04/28/2025) Hadley Hampshire Mall MA (04/28/2025) Maryland Greenbelt Beltway Plaza Mall MD (04/24/2025) Prince Frederick Fox Run Shopping Center MD (04/26/2025) Lavale Lavala Plaza S/C MD (04/28/2025) Annapolis Annapolis Plaza MD (04/28/2025) Brandywine Brandywine Crossing MD (04/28/2025) Maine Auburn Auburn Plaza ME (04/28/2025) Michigan Essexville Majestic Square MI (04/23/2025) Adrian Southland Plaza MI (04/24/2025) Alpena Bear Point Plaza MI (04/25/2025) Burton Courtland Center MI (04/26/2025) Big Rapids Ferris Commons MI (04/27/2025) Lapeer Lapeer S/C MI (04/27/2025) Chesterfield Waterside Market Place MI (04/27/2025) Ann Arbor Oak Valley Center MI (04/27/2025) Holland Felch Street Plaza MI (04/28/2025) Petoskey Bear Creek Plaza MI (04/28/2025) Fort Gratiot Twenty-Fourth Avenue MI (04/28/2025) Grosse Pointe Grosse Pointe Farms MI (04/28/2025) Bloomfield Hills Bloomfield Village Sq MI (04/28/2025) Allen Park Independence Market Place MI (04/28/2025) Minnesota Hibbing Irongate Mall MN (04/26/2025) Hutchinson Hutchinson Mall MN (04/26/2025) Faribault Faribo West Mall MN (04/26/2025) Bemidji Paul Bunyan Mall MN (04/28/2025) Willmar Kandi Mall MN (04/28/2025) Shakopee Dean Lakes MN (04/28/2025) Missouri Jefferson City Capital Mall MO (04/26/2025) Washington Phoenix Center MO (04/27/2025) Saint Joseph Hillcrest Plaza MO (04/28/2025) Crystal City Twin City Plaza MO (04/28/2025) Mississippi Southaven Southaven Towne Center MS (04/28/2025) Tupelo Big Oaks Crossing MS (04/28/2025) Jackson The Junction MS (04/28/2025) Montana Butte Butte Plaza Mall MT (04/28/2025) Helena Shopko Plaza MT (04/28/2025) North Carolina Hendersonville Blue Ridge Mall NC (04/19/2025) Goldsboro Berkeley Mall NC (04/24/2025) Rocky Mount Sutters Creek Crossing NC (04/26/2025) Mooresville Mooresville Consumer Square NC (04/26/2025) North Dakota Bismarck Gateway Mall ND (04/22/2025) New Hampshire West Lebanon Target Plaza NH (04/22/2025) Seabrook Seacoast S/C NH (04/26/2025) Belmont Belknap Mall S/C NH (04/28/2025) Hooksett Hooksett Village Shops NH (04/28/2025) New Mexico Santa Fe Plaza Princesa S/C NM (04/26/2025) Las Cruces Pan America Plaza NM (04/28/2025) Nevada Carson City Carson Mall NV (04/26/2025) Elko Elko Junction NV (04/28/2025) New York Malone K-Mart Plaza NY (04/24/2025) Clifton Park Village Square NY (04/24/2025) Olean Tops Plaza NY (04/26/2025) Rochester JOANN / Petsmart Plaza NY (04/26/2025) Watertown Arsenal Plaza NY (04/26/2025) Poughkeepsie Poughkeepsie Plaza Mall NY (04/26/2025) Middletown Dunning Farms S/C NY (04/26/2025) Lakewood Chautauqua Mall NY (04/28/2025) Niagara Falls Niagara Square NY (04/28/2025) Cortland Riverside Plaza NY (04/28/2025) Kingston Kingston Plaza NY (04/28/2025) West Babylon Great South Bay S/C NY (04/28/2025) Ohio Evendale Village Crossing OH (04/23/2025) Springfield Springfield Plaza S/C OH (04/24/2025) Heath Park Plaza OH (04/24/2025) Akron Tri-County Plaza OH (04/24/2025) Fremont Potter Village OH (04/26/2025) Lima Lima Center OH (04/26/2025) Dayton Shiloh Springs Plaza OH (04/26/2025) Chillicothe Zane Plaza OH (04/26/2025) St. Clairsville Ohio Valley Mall OH (04/26/2025) Niles Boulevard Centre at Eastwood Mall OH (04/26/2025) Marietta Lafayette Center OH (04/27/2025) Defiance Northtowne East OH (04/28/2025) Findlay Former Home Depot OH (04/28/2025) Hamilton Indian Springs Shopping Center OH (04/28/2025) New Philadelphia New Towne Mall OH (04/28/2025) Sandusky Crossings at Sandusky OH (04/28/2025) East Liverpool St Clair Plaza OH (04/28/2025) Steubenville Hollywood City Center OH (04/28/2025) Oklahoma Shawnee Shawnee Mall OK (04/26/2025) Stillwater Bradford Plaza OK (04/28/2025) Oregon Mcminnville Mcminnville Town Ctr OR (04/24/2025) The Dalles Cascade Square OR (04/26/2025) North Bend Pony Village Mall OR (04/26/2025) Warrenton Un-Named Shopping Center OR (04/28/2025) Beaverton Canyon Place OR (04/28/2025) Klamath Falls Jefferson Square OR (04/28/2025) Pennsylvania Belle Vernon Tri-County Plaza PA (04/24/2025) Indiana Regency Mall PA (04/24/2025) Altoona Pleasant Valley S/C PA (04/24/2025) Bridgeville Great Southern S/C PA (04/26/2025) Butler Pullman Square PA (04/26/2025) Johnstown University Park S/C PA (04/26/2025) State College Suburban Plaza PA (04/26/2025) Wayne Gateway S/C PA (04/26/2025) Glen Mills Concordville Town Center PA (04/26/2025) Lebanon Cedar Crest Sq S/C PA (04/26/2025) Pittsburgh Southland Four Seasons PA (04/28/2025) Meadville South Park Plaza PA (04/28/2025) Du Bois Dubois Mall PA (04/28/2025) Pottstown The Shops at Coventry PA (04/28/2025) Springfield Marple Crossroads PA (04/28/2025) Selinsgrove Susquehanna Valley Mall PA (04/28/2025) South Carolina Charleston Ashley Crossing SC (04/24/2025) Anderson Market Place Shopping Center SC (04/26/2025) Columbia Northpointe Commons SC (04/28/2025) Florence Florence Mall SC (04/28/2025) South Dakota Brookings University Mall SD (04/28/2025) Tennessee Jackson The Columns TN (04/26/2025) Johnson City Johnson City Plaza TN (04/26/2025) Tullahoma Northgate Mall TN (04/27/2025) Sevierville Governor’s Crossing TN (04/27/2025) Kingsport Kingsport Shopping Center TN (04/28/2025) Knoxville Harvest Park Shopping Center TN (04/28/2025) Texas New Braunfels Interstate Plaza TX (04/26/2025) Houston Copperfield Crossing TX (04/26/2025) Rockwall The Plaza At Rockwall TX (04/26/2025) Abilene Park Central Shopping Center TX (04/26/2025) San Antonio City Base Landing TX (04/28/2025) Mesquite Marketplace at Towne Centre TX (04/28/2025) Odessa Chimney Rock TX (04/28/2025) Virginia Lynchburg River Ridge Mall VA (04/23/2025) Christiansburg New River Valley Center VA (04/24/2025) Martinsville Village of Martinsville VA (04/26/2025) Culpeper Dominion Square VA (04/26/2025) Hampton Riverdale Plaza VA (04/26/2025) Warrenton Warrenton Center VA (04/28/2025) Vermont Barre Central Vermont Shopping Center VT (04/26/2025) Rutland Town Green Mountain S/C VT (04/28/2025) Washington Port Angeles Port Angeles Plaza WA (04/26/2025) Kent Kent Hill Plaza WA (04/26/2025) East Wenatchee Valley Mall Parkway WA (04/26/2025) Seattle Nw 57Th Street WA (04/28/2025) Renton Northeast Sunset Blvd. WA (04/28/2025) Moses Lake Town Center WA (04/28/2025) Clarkston Gateway Square WA (04/28/2025) Wisconsin Marshfield Marshfield Center WI (04/22/2025) Pewaukee Silver Nail S/C WI (04/23/2025) Plover Crossroads Commons WI (04/25/2025) Marinette Pine Tree Mall WI (04/25/2025) Watertown Rivers Edge Mall WI (04/25/2025) Beaver Dam Heritage Village WI (04/28/2025) Fond Du Lac Forest Plaza WI (04/28/2025) Cudahy Packard Plaza WI (04/28/2025) West Virginia Beckley Raleigh Mall WV (04/28/2025) Parkersburg Memorial Bridge Plaza WV (04/28/2025) Wyoming Rock Springs White Mountain Mall WY (04/28/2025)
Category:
E-Commerce
Hello and welcome to Modern CEO! Im Stephanie Mehta, CEO and chief content officer of Mansueto Ventures. Each week this newsletter explores inclusive approaches to leadership drawn from conversations with executives and entrepreneurs, and from the pages of Inc. and Fast Company. If you received this newsletter from a friend, you can sign up to get it yourself every Monday morning. Nearly 20 years ago, Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen published The Innovators Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail, his groundbreaking work about why successful companies often lose their way. But CEOs still struggle with one of the books central lessons, which is that companies need to disrupt themselves. Companies certainly know more about disruption than they did in 1995, but I still speak and write to executives who havent firmly grasped the implications of the theory, Christensen told former Harvard Business Review editor and Inc. columnist Karen Dillon in an interview published shortly after his death in 2020. The forces that combine to cause disruption are like gravitythey are constant and are always at work within and around the firm. It takes very skilled and very astute leaders to be navigating disruption on a constant basis. New paths and challenges Indeed, even after leaders make the difficult decision to shed traditional and reliable revenue streams to invest in new products and services, executing such transitions can take years. Such lags can test the patience of investors and other stakeholders, especially when theres no guarantee that the new business model will succeed. Just ask Michael Weening, president and CEO of Calix, Inc., which took 13 years to transform itself from a networking gear maker into a software and managed services company for rural broadband providers. The company was founded in 1999, at a time when startups and enterprises alike were rushing into the lucrative business of making gear to power the internet. (Remember when Cisco Systems was the most valuable company in the world?) But a decade later, enterprises started to change the way they were deploying technology, moving to cloud-based solutions that began to minimize the need for companies to maintain their own computing equipment. Calix leaders saw the change coming and began laying the groundwork for an entirely new approach in 2012one that reimagined the company as a software and cloud company for rural broadband service providers. The company hired Weening from cloud trailblazer Salesforce in 2016 to help with the transition. However, a year later, the companys annual loss had widened to more than $80 million from $27 million on revenue of about $450 million as Calix realigned the business to focus on investments in its software business. The market cap fell to $275 million, about two-thirds of its value at the time of its 2010 initial public offering. Staying the course Weening credits Carl Russo, Calixs founder and chairman, with having the patience to weather losses. He says: The founder was the largest shareholder, who could in essence say to the market, Were making these massive investments because if we dont do this, were going to turn into a low-margin commodity business. In addition to making changes to Calixs core business model and business infrastructure, Weening and his leadership team had to bring in new talent, resulting in restructuring costs for severance and termination benefits. Another big challenge was convincing Calixs clients, the rural broadband operators, to embrace Calixs new offering. Rather than selling them gear for their fiber optic networks, Calix wanted to offer a cloud and software platformwith a host of fully integrated managed services, some of which the broadband companies could then sell to their consumers and business customers. For example, Calix customers can sell residential customers a subscription to Bark, a social media-monitoring service for parents. Theyre great at construction; theyre great at reliability and running a network, but this new world of broadband is around experiences, Weening says. How do you teach them how to be sales and marketing- and experience-orientated? Weening drew on his experiences leading customer success at Salesforce to develop resources and training to help Calix clients take advantage of its products and services. New outcomesa decade later The transformation is starting to pay off. The company in 2023 made Fortunes list of the 100 fastest-growing companies of the year based on growth in revenue, profits, and stock returns. The company reported lower revenue and losses in 2024 but recently reported first-quarter earnings that beat expectations. Calixs market capitalization is about $2.4 billion. Ask Weening what he thinks about disrupting Calix now, having gone through a 13-year transformation: He and the company say transformation is ongoing, and he says he relies on his customers to keep innovation on track. You can never get arrogant, he says. You always have to be listening. We have 10 advisory customer boards. And if youre not arrogant, everyone will tell you where you suck. He also offers a reminder of why so many companies resist tackling the innovators dilemma, even when they understand the risks of inaction. This, he says, is not for the faint of heart. How does your company navigate disruption? Has your company faced the innovators dilemma? How do you, in Christensens words, navigate disruption on a constant basis? Send your stories and anecdotes to me at stephaniemehta@mansueto.com. Id like to share your examples in a future newsletter. Read more: innovators dilemma Why companies fail to innovate. An excerpt from The Innovators Dilemma Basecamp founder Jason Fried talks to Clayton Christensen How Steve Jobs solved the innovators dilemma
Category:
E-Commerce
All news |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||