Failing is OK

Microsoft is one of the most successful companies in history, creating three billionaires and 12,000 millionaires among its employees. But the company has had some major design flops. Fast Company magazine (October 2012) lists a few:

Bob. Remember Bob? Released in 1995 Bob, was a software product designed to make it easier to use the computer. Bob featured a cartoon character named Rover the Dog who would exclaim, "Looky! Camper” and try to explain everything. Bob was "childish, convoluted, ridiculous, [and] despised,” according to Fast Company. Even Microsoft executive Steve Ballmer said Bob was an example of a situation where Microsoft "decided that we have not succeeded and let's stop.” Please.

Office Assistant. This program came out just two years later, in 1997. It featured an animated character named Clippy who would tap at the screen and try to guess what you were working on. Clippy always smiled and cheerfully offered to help, even if you were working on a funeral service. Clippy drew intensely negative responses from many users. Even its creator called it "one of the most annoying characters in history.” Although Office Assistant has been replaced, Clippy lives on. In an episode of the television show Family Guy, Stewie sneaks into CIA headquarters and uses one of its computers. He becomes annoyed when Clippy appears on the screen and says, "I see you're trying to take over the world. Can I help?” Stewie yells, "Go away, you paper clip! No one likes you!” Poor Clippy. A major design flop.

The list goes on to include the famous "Blue Screen of Death” and Windows Vista 2007, which was such a mess that some people thought good old Bob was hiding inside. But let's not pick on Microsoft -- every company has its flops, including many incredibly successful corporations. Apple is often given credit for excellent design, but do you remember its personal computer "Lisa” from the early 1980s? Most people don't. It was a commercial failure. And, of course, you remember the recent debacle with the introduction of its latest iPhone and the problem with the GPS map app.

Henry Ford was a genius at designing supply chains and assembly lines. His cheap, reliable Model A and Model T cars became instant, iconic symbols of the automobile age. Yet, Ford failed to understand that consumers were looking for something just a bit more attractive than his drab, boxy, utilitarian vehicles. Someone once asked him if he had ever consider producing cars in different colors, to which he cheerfully responded by saying he would make cars in any color, as long as it is black. That cavalier attitude cost his company a big chunk of its once-dominant market share. Competing auto manufacturers did not limit themselves to "any color as long as it is black.” They ate Ford's lunch. Eventually, even the Ford Motor Company came 'round and began paying attention to how their cars looked. They began manufacturing them in a variety of body shapes and colors. For such a great designer of factories, Henry Ford proved to be not such a good designer of cars the next generation of consumers actually wanted.

If you have tried something new, and it did not work, it is not a sign to stop. It is time to let go and move forward.

May and Change

The month of May is a time of change for many young people. It ends one grade and the movement to another. It can mean the end of High School and movement on to trade school or college. It can mean movement into the world of vocation. For some, it will mean new explorations in relationships and family. Change is in the air.

In 1908, Henry Ford created his remarkable route to personal profit with his revolutionary hand-cranked Model T “Tin Lizzie,” which sold for $825. By 1914, because of Ford’s production line, the car price dropped to $206. His Model T, which came in every color so long as it was black, achieved a 60 percent market share, and in 17 years 10 million cars were sold.

However, Henry Ford very nearly sat at the table too long, holding losing cards.

In the 1920s, the car market changed. General Motors offered new cars at competitive prices with conveniences that the Model T lacked — like an electric starter. Suddenly this novelty starter took on the characteristics of a desirable consumer product. 1920s drivers demanded conveniences.

Ford would not let go. Once when he returned from a vacation he found his engineers had updated a Tin Lizzie. Ford stomped in its roof and kicked out its windshield.

Finally, sales sputtered and Ford faced reality. He did not change just its color or its name — he changed tactics. In May 1927, Ford stopped the Model T’s production. He closed his factory for six months, retooled and then produced the Model A. The Model A was a winning hand. He still produced personal motorized transportation, but by abandoning the tried and true and experimenting with something new, Ford succeeded in recapturing the market.

When successful and beloved products fail, it is time to let go.

Practical and tactical innovation is key to any church that preaches Christ. Change not for change alone, but with one eye to improvement and the other to our real purpose, our real reason, for doing what we do as church.

Henry Ford built cars. When his car did not sell, he changed everything — except he still built and sold cars, only better ones. Nike builds shoes. When sales fell, they changed marketing, not tactics. Unfortunately, that is not enough.

Let go. Focus on the essential. Try a few things. See what works.