Quantum Improvements

by Ryan M. Healy

in Business, Mindset, Success

Today’s news reports that the Nintendo Wii outsold the Microsoft Xbox 360 by three to one in November 2008. That is a HUGE margin.

Why do I bring this up?

Because much of the time we focus on incremental improvements, what the Japanese call kaizen.

The discipline of making incremental improvements is critical to business success. Sometimes it makes the difference between being a market leader and an “also ran.”

But every once in a while it is necessary to make a quantum improvement.

Yes, it’s risky.

Yes, it’s worth it.

Quantum improvements are game changers. They change the way consumers think.

For instance, here are some game changers from the past few years:

  • Toyota Prius
  • Nintendo Wii
  • Apple iPhone
  • Netflix

Is there a quantum improvement that can be made in your business? Why not give it a try and see what happens?

-Ryan M. Healy

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  • I'm sure there are money improvements. Quantum improvements are hard too find. I like the Toyota Prius.
  • Jim
    In the face of crazy gas prices the Prius is a game changer. But why?

    American car makers had the same opportunity to change as the Japanese did back during the Clinton era and refused depending on sales gimmicks of gas guzzling vehicles... while the smart companies, fearing they would be left behind created the cars of the future.

    -Jim
  • Oh you're totally right...your customers aren't going to tell you the exact quantum improvement you need to make...rather they would tell you the information that would provide you clues to making your quantum improvement.
  • @Joseph - Thanks for the additional suggestions. I like #1 in particular. I think #2 is important as well, but often our customers can't tell us how to make a quantum improvement. How many people could tell you they wanted a Wii before it was invented?

    @Jon - Great example. Cirque du Soleil was definitely a game changer. I noticed that Barnum & Bailey's Circus has adopted some elements of Cirque du Soleil into their act now.
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  • Hi Ryan,

    I like the example of the Wii - it does what all big game changers seem to do, and merges its core idea or function (computer games) with another idea or function (physical movement or mimicking physical interaction).

    Of course there were others before the Wii, they just pulled it off the best. Its easy, intuitive and simple.

    Another good example I think you might agree with is Cirque Du Soleil. A combination of circus entertainment with theatre and sophistication that was truly a quantum improvement in the circus market... if you can call it a circus!

    Best,
    Jon Weston
  • Ryan,

    This is a topic that needs deeper discussion...

    How do business owners analyze, research, and develop those "quantum improvements" that you are suggesting here?

    Here are a couple of tips...

    1) Pay attention to trends. For example, when gas and oil prices started to rise considerably...that creates a problem for its market...and therefore creates an environment where Toyota was the hero that provided an alternative solution to the problem.

    2) Listen to your market. BIG ONE here. How often do you talk to your previous paid clients? What do you ask them? What problems are they facing that cannot be solved in a "typical" fashion...and how can YOU provide the alternate solution (be the hero) ?

    There's obviously WAY more to this...but that can get you started :)

    Joseph Ratliff
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