The Dead Horse Theory: A Cautionary Tale for Entrepreneurs
Briefly

The 'Dead Horse Theory' highlights the importance of recognizing when a business venture is failing, emphasizing that continued investment in such projects is unwise. Examples like Kodak and Blockbuster illustrate how companies can falter by failing to adapt to changing market dynamics, leading to significant losses or even bankruptcy. Additionally, the theory also applies to specific business units that may be hemorrhaging resources, as seen with Amazon's Echo division. Successfully identifying and dismounting from 'dead horses' can conserve resources and refocus efforts on viable opportunities.
The 'Dead Horse Theory' suggests that when you recognize a failing project, the most effective action is to cease investing resources in it.
Kodak's failure to pivot from film photography to digital showcased how ignoring market changes can lead to catastrophic consequences, culminating in bankruptcy.
Blockbuster's sluggish response to the rise of streaming services serves as a cautionary tale of how ignoring customer preferences can spell disaster for a business.
Even successful companies like Amazon can have 'dead horses', as seen with its Echo division, which reported significant operating losses despite being successful overall.
Read at Medium
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