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Google Next Victim of Creative Destruction? (GOOG)

February 9, 2009
by John Borthwick
CEO, Betaworks

John Borthwick

The Web has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to evolve and leave embedded franchises struggling or in the dirt. Prodigy, AOL were early candidates. Today Yahoo (YHOO) and eBay (EBAY) are struggling, and I think Google (GOOG) is tipping down the same path. This cycle of creative destruction–more recently framed as the innovators dilemma–is both fascinating and hugely dislocating for businesses. To see this immense franchises melt before your very eyes–is hard to say the least.

I saw it up close at AOL. I remember back in 2000, just after the new organizational structure for AOL / Time Warner (TWX) was announced there was a three-day HBS training program for 80 or so of us at AOL. I loathe these HR programs–but this one was amazing. I remember Kotter as great (fascinating set of videos on leadership, wish I had them recorded), Colin Powell was amazing and then on the second morning Clay Christensen spoke to the group.

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