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martamorena9182 | 5 years ago

See Jeff Bezos' famous comment: "It is better to cannibalize yourself; than let others cannibalize you"

This should answer your question and hint what's to come.

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gnramires|5 years ago

The classic case I often heard is Kodak:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodak#Shift_to_digital

It was a pioneer in digital transition but moved too slowly in fear of cannibalizing their film business. Ironically, today it seems printing and their legacy film are their strengths (and the consumer digital camera market is dead, shifted to smartphones) -- which seems to complicate drawing lessons. However, it could easily have invested in e.g. sensor manufacturing if it recognized early the potential of the transition and still be well today[1].

I think a good strategy is to fearlessly cannibalize [1] yourself yes, but don't abandon your strengths and expertise, instead use them to propel your new ventures.

[1]: I think a good definition of self-cannibalization is due. In this case, it refers to abandoning unstable businesses. For example, trying to hold a market by forcing out "better", newer devices (digital vs film) is unstable -- you're betting on blocking the adoption of a better alternative.

[2]: Sony appears to have done well, today the leading camera sensor manufacturer https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201007005124/en/Str...