Sometimes you read something in the New York Times that just stops you in your tracks. That's what happened this morning when I read this article about Sony CEO, Howard Stringer's new plan to revive the company via an online network to serve up his company's content. In the piece, Stringer is quoted making this statement about why his company is poised to, as the article puts it, "outdo" Apple's iPod business:
We have a supreme advantage once we get software right because the quality of our hardware is exceptional. I think our hardware is more durable than Apple. You don't want something that breaks down every 10 minutes.
Huh? iPods break down every 10 minutes? Wow! That's breaking news. All you techies out there, you hearin' those reports from the geeks at Mashable, Boing Boing, TechCrunch and all the other sources of all things techy? Me either. If this were happening, think a blogger or two would be making a big time stink? D'ya think?
So, that premise looks a little shaky.
And, while producing durable hardware is certainly important, I have to confess that every one of my Walkmans is still functional, but sitting unused in my closet. Why? The parade moved on.
Oh, and one more thing. Just as an aside Mr. Stringer, saying you'll have a supreme advantage, "once we get the software right" is kind of like me saying I'll be rivaling Bono's record sales just as soon as I get that singing part down!
Being in a big-time bind sometimes drives corporate executives to a particular kind of madness, one that leads them to believe that day is night and night is day simply because they say it is.
This looks like one of those times to me.



I love it when delusional thinking goes public!
Posted by: Mike Wagner | December 04, 2009 at 06:38 PM
Ain't that the truth, Mike? This one stunned me!
Posted by: Tom Guarriello | December 04, 2009 at 06:44 PM
very funny
Posted by: connie sartain | December 22, 2009 at 03:53 PM
Thank you for this beautiful theme I wish you more such fascinating topics Thank you
Posted by: مسجات جوال - رسائل حب - مسجات حب - رسائل رومانسية | January 16, 2010 at 09:21 PM