First mover disadvantage
In many games, the first mover advantage is a well known and winning strategy.
However, in the world of disruptive innovation, this is more or less guaranteed to be a losing strategy. I single out disruptive innovation, as it implies there is a seemingly workable solution already at play.
Where are we see this problem playing out vividly in the wild? Single-use plastic.
Why?
Well this is not down to a lack of innovation, alternative material technology or renewed operating models. Rather we have achieved a stalemate. One where the majority of businesses, however aware and willing, are not migrating away from single-use plastic to the degree or speed required, because doing so puts them at a significant commercial disadvantage verses' their competitors.
Some believe the issue lies with consumers. However I strongly oppose centering the consumer as the challenge in this debate. Consumers have laid out their needs and behaviours very clearly, and it's up to enterprise to improve the fulfilment of those needs.
And in a case of dense toxicity, such as with single use plastics, businesses and the free market need a helping hand in the form of a regulated line in the sand.
Why?
If we're serious about sustainability, the time has come to seriously consider a ban on single-use plastics. A blank ban would level the playing field, fully activate the free-market and flip the game back into first mover advantage mode, thereby creating many winners, including the planet.
Being able to create, make and keep this move keeps you in the game, and likely keeps you wi
Spring 2023