The Digital Divide
Brian Silver '02
Issue date: 5/14/01 Section: Technology
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Despite the tumble of the NASDAQ and the implosion of many dot-com companies, the digital revolution goes on. Companies large and small must bridge the proverbial digital divide. As part of the Park Leadership Speaker Series, Kodak Chairman and CEO Dan Carp shared with JGSM Kodak’s plan for spanning the gap and how Carp personally came to lead the transformation.
Speaking on April 9th, Mr. Carp started with a professional-grade multimedia presentation of the company’s history, including a copy of a 1970’s Kodak TV commercial. He quickly followed with slides about the current product line and video of the company’s latest commercial—a dramatically different contrast from that of 30 years ago. Kodak plans to leverage a company culture of innovation to develop products based on next-generation digital camera technology. Kodak considers development and production of distinctive digital cameras as essential to continued leadership in its core business: “preserving memories.” Mr. Carp used the remainder of his presentation to speak about the hard part: implementation.
As Mr. Carp outlined to students, Kodak continues to face a textbook example of change management. Kodak has had to cannibalize existing product sales to maintain a leadership position in its market. The company has been successful for so many years that many employees do not see the need for change. An aging workforce also may present a barrier to change. The key to Kodak’s current success, as outlined in the presentation, is active communication of change initiatives and a very active training program. Many employees have jumped on the bandwagon. When asked about how Kodak will handle the more reluctant employees, Mr. Carp indicated that Kodak will continue to find positions for them in the more mature product areas.
On the subject of how he made it to the top, Mr. Carp cited luck as the primary reason for his success. “I was in the right place at the right time,” he said. When pressed on the issue, he did recommend more proactive measures, such as pursuing continuing education and staying technically proficient in an area of specialty. He also cited the value of a good professional network. (Maybe JSOutfitters can offer a new product: the Dan Carp autographed-Johnson School lucky rabbit’s foot).
Speaking on April 9th, Mr. Carp started with a professional-grade multimedia presentation of the company’s history, including a copy of a 1970’s Kodak TV commercial. He quickly followed with slides about the current product line and video of the company’s latest commercial—a dramatically different contrast from that of 30 years ago. Kodak plans to leverage a company culture of innovation to develop products based on next-generation digital camera technology. Kodak considers development and production of distinctive digital cameras as essential to continued leadership in its core business: “preserving memories.” Mr. Carp used the remainder of his presentation to speak about the hard part: implementation.
As Mr. Carp outlined to students, Kodak continues to face a textbook example of change management. Kodak has had to cannibalize existing product sales to maintain a leadership position in its market. The company has been successful for so many years that many employees do not see the need for change. An aging workforce also may present a barrier to change. The key to Kodak’s current success, as outlined in the presentation, is active communication of change initiatives and a very active training program. Many employees have jumped on the bandwagon. When asked about how Kodak will handle the more reluctant employees, Mr. Carp indicated that Kodak will continue to find positions for them in the more mature product areas.
On the subject of how he made it to the top, Mr. Carp cited luck as the primary reason for his success. “I was in the right place at the right time,” he said. When pressed on the issue, he did recommend more proactive measures, such as pursuing continuing education and staying technically proficient in an area of specialty. He also cited the value of a good professional network. (Maybe JSOutfitters can offer a new product: the Dan Carp autographed-Johnson School lucky rabbit’s foot).