I recently learnt, or rather it hit more home into my consciousness that one’s DNA remains the same whether dead or alive. Fascinating stuff – at least for me! That’s why bodies can be exhumed to trace the identity. What is DNA? It stands for Deoxyribonucleic acid and has a helix structure. Alongside DNA there is RNA – which stands for ribonucleic acid. So, what’s the difference between DNA and RNA? You guessed it right! DNA doesn’t have an oxygen (O) molecule, while RNA has that O molecule which allows its ribose (sugar) to be more flexible and change through the course of our lives – so that’s why the identity of a person (dead or alive) cannot be traced through RNA. When you are sick, your RNA structure will differ from when you are healthy.
DNA is therefore a useful thing. I remember Kodak because of their DNA – to “create lasting photographic memories”. They had it right, when they started their RNA was to use analogue technologies to create these photographic memories. It appears that they were resilient on using these analogue technologies, while the environment was fast changing to digital technologies – they stuck and believed in this analogue RNA – “because people will never neglect photographic memories” – well they were and are still right, but the structure of the RNA has drastically changed, their decision to switch their RNA might have been a little bit too late.
Kodak is still around, but they have definitely lost their market share to some “smart” convenience device which we carry around on a daily basis – which has the more preferred RNA structure. This structure evolved from not only analogue communication but to combine various digital technologies including communication, photographs, video, storage, information sourcing and many more.
There has been many players who have come in the market, which I believe Kodak could have entered the space occupied by these new players much earlier – had their R&D team focused on evolving RNA structures much earlier. There are many examples of large entities like Kodak – I just chose them because of the idea that one remains the same person but evolves over time. While it is important to preserve your identity, it is important to do your best to thrive in the environment you find yourself in.
The Kodak example doesn’t only apply to big businesses alone, many small and new players struggle to be agile and become overwhelmed way too soon. I am delighted that through the upcoming online Business Feedback Series (BFS) we will have some insights to help those who may find themselves stuck navigate around the many icebergs which we are often blind spotted to, not only as individuals but as businesses. I must admit, that my blind spot so far is the tech, but I am soon getting around that, and looking forward to a great time.
Until then, please remember to capture lasting selfie memories! Oops, that might be an outdated RNA as well 😊