28 Apr Will You Reinvent or Repeat Kodak?

📸 vs. 🤖: Kodak’s Ghost Haunts Google (And Why Your Business Should Care)

Disruption isn’t all about technology. It’s about the refusal to let yesterday’s success blind you to tomorrow’s reality.

Kodak’s Mistake vs. Google’s Gamble

-Kodak invented the digital camera—then buried it to protect film profits.
-Today, Google faces a similar moment of truth. Its $200B search ad empire depends on a model where users click links. But AI-driven tools (like Gemini) increasingly answer queries instantly—bypassing traditional search clicks altogether.

The real danger?
Not just external competition—but Google’s own hesitation to cannibalize its ad business and reimagine search itself.

The Deeper Parallel

Google risks becoming a prisoner of its past profits like Kodak was… Clinging to the old model feels safer… until it isn’t.

And here’s the catch: your business isn’t immune either.

The Real Lesson for Leaders

It’s not about AI, film, or algorithms. It’s about recognizing when your core strength becomes your biggest liability.

Ask yourself:

• Are you protecting a cash cow that’s quietly losing relevance?
• Are you dismissing shifts (AI, sustainability) because they don’t seem “urgent” yet?
• Are you underestimating competitors who aren’t burdened by legacy systems?

Kodak Moments Happen to Small Businesses Too

• A local print shop refusing to offer digital design services
• A consultant still banking only on email marketing in a TikTok-first world
• A retailer ignoring younger buyers’ demand for hybrid (online + in-person) experiences

The industries change, but the mistake stays the same.

Google’s Wake-Up Call = Your Playbook

Google’s current challenge isn’t just adopting AI to its search engine—it’s overcoming its own addiction to ad revenue and risking reinvention.

Take notes:

1️⃣ Audit Your “Film”

Identify the sacred cows you’re protecting.

Examples:

a. A management consulting firm realized clients wanted hands-on implementation support— not just high-level strategy reports.

b. A public speaking coach noticed clients preferred short, on-demand micro-trainings instead of full-day workshops.

c. A commercial real estate agency saw that clients wanted end-to-end solutions—including site selection, financing help, and post-move marketing support—not just lease negotiations.

2️⃣ Run Small Experiments

You don’t need a $200B budget.

• Test a new delivery model (subscriptions, pay-as-you-go).
• Pilot a hybrid service (“AI-assisted + human touch”).

3️⃣ Think Like a Disruptor

Ask: “If I were a startup competing against us, what would I attack first?”

Real-world example: Smart bookstores pivoted into community hubs—coffee, events, experiences—not just books.

Objections vs. Opportunities

• “Our customers aren’t asking for this.”
  Neither were travelers asking for Airbnb. Neither were shoppers begging for Amazon.

          Anticipate needs—don’t wait for them.

• “We’ll pivot when it’s urgent.”
  By then, nimble players will already own the future.

Your Survival Kit

👉 This Week: Identify one friction point in your customer journey. Fix it.

👉 This Month: Allocate 5% of resources to a small, radical experiment.

👉 This Quarter: Hold a “What If?” meeting: “What if our top revenue source disappeared tomorrow?”

The Bottom Line

Kodak didn’t fail because it missed digital cameras—it failed because it clung to short-term comfort over long-term reinvention.

Google’s AI moves aren’t just about technology; they’re a race to avoid the same trap.

If they can’t break free from their ad model, history could rhyme once again.

Your business thrives when you:

✅ See disruption as a signal, not a threat.
✅ Empower teams to question even your “cash cows.”
✅ Balance today’s profits with tomorrow’s bold bets.

👉 Don’t let your legacy become your epitaph.

“What made you successful yesterday could kill you tomorrow—unless you bridge the gap.”

👇 Your Turn:
1. What’s your “Kodak risk”?
2. How are you evolving before disruption forces your hand?

#Leadership #BusinessStrategy #Adaptability #Innovation #FutureProof