Nothing rots from the outside in.
This is a story about two modern institutions: BlackBerry and the Daily Show.
“Wait, why those two? What could they possibly have in common?”
Neither is working right now.
But hey, don’t listen to me. Google it.
You back? Already? That was fast.
You’re likely to see that many of the key media outlets say that I’m actually going easy on BlackBerry and the Daily Show.
Most of the key media outlets will tell you that the once-beloved BlackBerry and Daily Show are now as good as dead.
Are you surprised? Really?
When was the time you heard someone say, “Have you seen that awesome new BlackBerry?” Or, when was the last time a friend emailed you the link to the latest hilarious and viral YouTube video from the Daily Show?
There are bad days, and then there are legendary bad days. If you haven’t been paying attention, both BlackBerry and the Daily Show are going through some bad days right now. The legendary kind.
So what’s going on?
My 2¢: let me use the Daily Show example to tell you why it and BlackBerry are not working right now.
So many thought that the Daily Show couldn’t succeed without Stewart. Not me. And I have some evidence to support my thinking. My evidence is just two words long: John Oliver. The success of Daily Show veteran John Oliver on a very similar show puts the idea that the Daily Show couldn’t succeed without Stewart to a stop. Full stop.
And there you have it. Maybe the Daily Show’s time is past. Or, maybe a new host/leader can save the day. Maybe BlackBerry’s time is past. Or, maybe a new leader can save the day.
The bottom line: Nothing rots from the outside in.
Bad product is always a people problem. Can you have a great product if you don’t have great thinking?
Apr 3, 2016