Tongues waging, cries all over, confusion abound about the changing face of business. All these blamed on disruptive technology. However, what is the real meaning of this elephant? According to a May 2013 report by Mckinsey & Company, disruptive technologies are advances that will transform life, business and global economy. Over the years, the world has witnessed a spectrum of success in almost all sectors. And many have not failed to observe the rapidness with which change and transformation have confronted resistance in all these spectra. Scanning through the various sectors in our society, it's not a surprise how technology and its flexibility is being accepted reluctantly.
Mobile phone makers like Nokia used to be the world leader in terms of handsets production and sales. Nokia is credited for being the first handset maker to sell a billionth handset in 2005, way when no competition was stiff enough to bend their neck. In 2007, the year Apple launched its first iPhone, Nokia was listed as the fifth most valued brand in the world. However, in 2009 Nokia posted its first loss for ten years. Facing stiff competition from newcomer Apple and handset makers powered by Google's new Android Operating System (OS). According to the Guardian, slicker and nice looking touchscreen devices, including Apple iPhone, Palm Pre and HTC Hero ate into the commanding lead once enjoyed by Nokia. Nokia has continued to suffer it's lowest moments, surrendering the lead to Samsung and its name being dropped by Microsoft from the Lumia gadgets.This has seriously resulted into a shake-up in their work force.Nokia has had it's fair share of the competition as it struggle to fight in the changing market using the same old Symbian OS.
Microsoft is facing similar competitions from companies like Apple and Google who have not only made browsing easier with slimmer and slicker gadgets but also flexible. It's nolonger a secret that Microsoft is working on a new Chrome-like browser dubbed Spartan, for Windows 10, suggesting that Internet Explorer could be on it's way out. Microsoft has had to shrug itself off from the effect created by a Nokia brand, even leading to more job cuts in some of its divisions.
In post services it's commendable and notable that most companies have embraced email services and moved on, others are still reluctant to accept, thereby retaining the services of huge boxes of letters to post offices.
In banking sector, some banks have accepted the use of ATMs in cash transfers, deposits and withdrawals, others have retained the services of cashiers/tellers to perform the same tasks.
In Telecoms industry, scanning through the life and times of Telcom Kenya illustrates the struggle to embrace mobile phones, per second billing and data services. This struggle turned the initially giant service provider to a lame duck, as was witnessed with the entry of "mega- disruptors" like Safaricom, Airtel Kenya and Yu mobile into this conservative yet loyal market.
All these spells disruptions and effects of new platforms. Its high time Kenyan media accepted the entry of digital platforms and appreciated the positives, since the probability of migrating to digital broadcasting from analogue is one. As long as Consumers would not like to spend much, quality and alternatives do matter and comes first. The major drive of any customer focused company is to develop and reshape itself into technology-based ways of delivering value. The digital delivery of products and services can open tremendous new pathways for growth and companies need to shift their underlying business operations to support and accept this new business model. I expect my grandmother who's still unable to receive the analogue signals to date, be able to watch not only clear channels of KTN, NTV & Citizen, but also have the flexibility to watch Maisha Magic without calling her grandson to change the decoders. The digital platforms disruption is therefore more likely to create more opportunities than analogue platform has created. We are likely to see even more demand for reporters and more cash from advertising, since the market segments that were never reached due to poor and boring signals, will be reached.
The truth on what we are currently witnessing is purely on sale of content distribution gadgets, this has in no way relational effect to the current staff employed by the three media houses while on analogue platform. This shows an increasing list of those either being caught on the wrong side of technology, or just being reluctant to accept change and move on. It's either you fall because of "the next big thing" or accept, adjust and play the game.
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