By recognizing the impact of the external environment, managers can anticipate turbulence and shape the culture accordingly. Organizational managers and leaders face daily challenges arising from both external and internal environments. To navigate environmental turbulence effectively, it is crucial to design an organizational culture that aligns with the industry's dynamics and prepares for potential disruptions. Creating an intentional culture involves aligning values, beliefs, and behavioral norms with the specific demands of the industry. Tools such as vision and mission statements, reward systems, and fostering open communication and collaboration can help shape the desired culture. Additionally, a strong organizational culture that promotes innovation, agility, and continuous learning empowers managers to proactively respond to changes in the external environment. By intentionally designing a culture that embraces flexibility, change, and empowers managers to lead during turbulence, organizations can better navigate through episodes of uncertainty and capitalize on opportunities for growth and success.

Preparing Culture for External Environmental Turbulence

In this video, Dr. Claude Kershner IV explores how strategic thinking drives success in high-tech industries — from the rise of killer applications and dominant platforms to the risks and rewards of being a first mover.

Drawing from real-world examples like Tesla, Netflix, Amazon, and WeChat, we unpack how companies create value through technical standards, network effects, and disruptive innovation. You’ll also hear timely insights on the current debate around AI and the future of jobs: is artificial intelligence creating opportunity, or displacing workers at scale?

Core topics covered include:
• What makes a killer application — and how it shapes platform dominance
• How companies win format wars and lock in standards
• First-mover advantages (and why some pioneers fail)
• Cost structures in tech: high fixed, low marginal
• The Steve Blank model of experimentation and bootcamps
• Organizational ambidexterity: how firms balance innovation and execution
• AI’s impact on jobs in the U.S. — losses, gains, and the future of work

This content is ideal for entrepreneurs, strategists, students of business and technology, or anyone looking to better understand how innovation and competitive advantage are built in today’s digital economy.

Strategy and Technology: Format Wars, First Movers & Killer Apps

The Dr. Claude Kershner Show empowers students, professionals, and scholars by offering practical examples of Strategic Entrepreneurship. In a series of teachings, interviews, and stories, we confidently provide evidence-based tactics to take teams and organizations through life cycle transitions.

Strategy and Technology: Format Wars, First Movers & Killer Apps

The Dr. Claude Kershner Show

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