Timing is everything (a look at Blockbuster and broadband adoption)

This weekend I read the chronology of Blockbuster’s long goodnight and looked up the Netflix official timeline. It got me thinking about the timing of technology changes vs. the timing of consumer behavior changes and how hard it is to be right as a founder. When new technology emerges, it changes fundamental truths about the world and about the products and services you can unleash. BUT, to win as a founder you have to understand the new landscape and all that it makes possible AND be right about the timing of the consumer behavior change you need to capture the opportunity.

Broadband killed Blockbuster, but the company died at dial-up speed because people take a long time to change.