Microsoft: Becoming a faster follower...again

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Fast followers make the most money

There is a very rich history of fast followers eclipsing the first movers. Microsoft has done it many times. Other companies have too. I wrote a blog on this subject entitled, "Innovate or Imitate...Fame or Fortune" which can be found here. http://dondodge.typepad.com/the_next_big_thing/2005/10/innovate_or_imi.html


The premise is that many times early innovators get the first mover advantage and then fumble their lead. They forget that the rules have now changed, and that competitors will react. Here is a teaser of my list of first movers that were eclipsed by fast followers.

AltaVista -> Google
Napster -> iTunes
VisiCalc -> Lotus 123 -> Excel
Word Perfect -> Word
Netscape -> Internet Explorer
Apple Newton -> Palm Pilot -> Blackberry
IBM PC -> Compaq -> Dell
Double Click -> Google Ad Sense
Ofoto -> Flickr
Compuserve -> AOL -> @Home -> Comcast & Verizon

It happens all the time. The fast followers typically make most of the money. I was on the management team at AltaVista and Napster. I know what it feels like to be a first mover, and some of the reasons why they often fail.

Microsoft has been a fast follower with Explorer, SQL Server, Windows Server, and Sharepoint Server. Each one came from way behind to take the market leader position. I wouldn't bet against Microsoft in the Web Based Sevices space either.

Posted by: DonDodge   Posted on: 11/10/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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