QWERTY, the case for new Fundamentals: How to pack a meaner (and leaner) Remington

The QUERTY keyboard was invented to solve a mechanical complication associated with the design of the original typing machines–two keys struck in sequence would cause sticking. Years later, the typewriters of the 1860s have morphed many times to daisy wheels and now to all sorts of gizmos. Yet, the meme of the QUERTY keyboard persists.

Many companies have habits ingrained in their cultures or their operations that also originated because they solved real problems at the time. But, as circumstances evolve, the business leaders who do not adapt are left behind.

Consider the quote from Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix, who believes that their relatively recent business model is doomed. Doomed. The innovation of shipping DVDs and now the ability to download movies via the Internet is rapidly giving way to an explosion of technologies and delivery systems that will leave Netflix in the dust if they don’t adapt rapidly to a changing business environment.