I’ve seen that with startups. I’ve seen that with established very successful companies that try to sell to new customers.
You try to do something different, and every business process and management member is there to stop you because of what they learned previously … when working with a different customer or market.
The Steve Jobs story about resistance to developing a mouse in house is a good example.
I've seen it kill more than one company. The company is so bent out of shape for that one special customer, that as soon as the relationship is over or isn't as profitable as they'd hoped, they aren't able to actually support any other customers.
You try to do something different, and every business process and management member is there to stop you because of what they learned previously … when working with a different customer or market.
The Steve Jobs story about resistance to developing a mouse in house is a good example.