Arrogance, thy name is doom. Arrogance turns us deaf to opinions, criticisms and change. Despite change knocking on the door, our hubris doesn’t let us hear them. Much similar to what happened in Kodak Eastman Company in the 1990s when their top executives ridiculed the idea that film reels would ever be in danger. Even when younger executives spoke about newer innovations, the old guards sniggered and wondered, ‘You seriously consider a gadget replacing reels?’ Ironically, Kodak was known for its innovations. Doubly ironic was the fact that Kodak was the creator of the digital camera.
From its start in the late 19th century, Kodak captured multiple milestones by keeping pace with the changing times and even overcame unfathomable adversities like the Great Depression. Post-World War II, Kodak managed a firm grip on the market. From film producers to amateur camera users, the only name they relied upon for reels was Kodak. Little wonder it was called the ‘Gorilla of the photography world.’
Despite Fuji becoming a major competitor in the early 1980s, sales of Kodak reels were on a constant rise. By the early 1990s, when Kodak’s top executives were scoffing off digital cameras as an imaginary invasion, Japanese brands had made a smooth transition. By the late 1990s, the digital camera’s knocks had become louder. However, the top executives at Kodak still felt perhaps it was merely a fad. They felt that reel ought to be their focus.
The sales of reels began to slump by the early 2000s. Though Kodak had entered the digital camera market and even built a sizeable lead, the finer details that’s built over years were missing. By the end of that decade, the monolith that ruled for nearly a century was crumbling. No doubt, there were other factors, but it was its arrogant disregard for change that primarily caused its downfall.
Kodak’s trajectory is similar to our lives. With a bit of success, we develop hubris and start feeling invincible, even refusing to heed the change that’s setting in. Recalling all the unforgettable moments of our lives that we captured on Kodak reels, may we acknowledge the fact that if such a monolith can be blown away by the wind of change, our complacency and refusal to change too can sweep us off our feet and throw us into oblivion. Hope we are alert and readily adaptable to change. Remember what Bob Dylan sang decades ago: ‘The times they are a-changin’’. Frankly, everything is constantly changing!
