What does the personal computer and a typewriter have to do with cordless tools? How about email and letter writing? Cellphones and landlines?
Give up? They are all outstanding examples of disruptive technology, where one technology displaces another established one, changing the industry or creating a completely new
industry.
Harvard Business School professor Clayton M. Christensen coined the term disruptive technology. In his 1997 best-selling book, "The Innovator's Dilemma,"
In this book, Christensen separates new technology into two categories: sustaining and disruptive. Sustaining technology refers to small changes over time to sustain a technology.
Disruptive technology is different. It's not as
pretty, often lacks refinement, is bold, changes strategy, and often involves risk. But when done well it's a game changer!
The folks at Milwaukee have been following the path of disruptive technology with tool development. From the sidelines it seems to me they are enjoying unencumbered development, unconstrained growth and undisciplined strategy.
In a phrase, they are "re-writing the rules on tool!" Let's learn more about this . . .
