Here's the definition of disruption from Dictionary.com:

Pronunciation [dis-ruhp-shuh

-noun

1. forcible separation into division or parts (i.e., torn apart!)

2. a disrupted condition: The state was in disruption

So then, what is Disruptive Technology?

And why do you as an existing or emerging growth Business Mogul need to know about it?

First the definition.

No need to reference the dictionary.

I'll take a shot at this one.

Disruptive technology is a technology that, uh well, shakes up a market or industry or sector so bad, that it causes medium to severe disruption to that industry.

I'll get to some examples shortly.

Now for the other question regarding why you need to know about disruptive technology.

You need to know because:

1) If you see a potentially disruptive technology evolving before your rivals do, and you jump on it, you could create a big advantage for yourself!

2) If you don't see it coming, and your rivals do, you could be at a very big disadvantage!

3) A disruptive technology might bring great investment opportunities for you!

An Example Or ...Two .. Or Three

Now let's look at some quick examples in human history of technology disruption:

Disruptive Technology: The railroad

Disrupted Industry or technology: The wagon train

Disrupted Big Kahuna: All of those wagon manufacturers

Emerging Star: Southern Pacific Railroad

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Disruptive Technology: The telephone

Disrupted Industry or technology: The telegraph

Disrupted Big Kahuna: Western Union

Emerging Star: AT&T

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Disruptive Technology: The automobile

Disrupted Industry or technology: Steamboats; railroads; horse and buggy

Disrupted Big Kahuna: The B&O railroad; That horse and buggy Mogul

Emerging Star: Ford

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Disruptive Technology: The PC

Disrupted Industry or technology: The mainframe and mini- computers

Disrupted Big Kahuna: IBM

Emerging Stars: Microsoft; Apple

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Disruptive Technology: The Internet

Disrupted Industry or technology: You name it - Telephone; Postal service; retail; print media; entertainment; music industry

Disrupted Big Kahuna: NY Times; Time Warner; NBC; Barnes and Noble

Emerging Stars: Google; Amazon; Vonage; MySpace; YouTube

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Starting To See The Picture?

One pattern should be clear here, even with these few examples:

Disruptive technologies that create new industries are eventually disrupted themselves, sometimes into oblivion!

I'll have more to come on this topic shortly.

In the meantime,

What are some of your favorite disruptive technologies?

What other disruptiuons do you see with the examples I've given?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Listen To My Interviews With Emerging Growth Moguls That Are Creating And Implementing Disruptive Technologies!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------