HBR On Strategy
The 6 Forces of Failure—and How to Protect Your Company from Them
Apr 30, 2025
Sean Jacobsohn, a partner at Norwest Venture Partners and founder of the Failure Museum, explores the lessons learned from notable product failures like Harley-Davidson Cologne and Cheetos Lip Balm. He identifies six key forces of failure, emphasizing the importance of timing, financial management, and understanding product-market fit. Through vivid examples like Pets.com and Blockbuster, listeners discover how agility and market awareness can safeguard against business pitfalls. Get ready to rethink your strategies based on these fascinating failures!
08:53
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Understanding market needs is crucial, as exemplified by failed products like Webvan that lacked demand validation before scaling.
- The six forces of failure, including poor timing and competition, highlight critical pitfalls companies must navigate for success.
Deep dives
Lessons from Failed Ventures
The podcast highlights the significant lessons that can be learned from examining failed business ventures displayed in the Failure Museum. Artifacts like the Pets.com sock puppet and Harley-Davidson cologne serve as humorous yet educational reminders of how poor financial management and inadequate product-market fit can lead to failure. For instance, Webvan, the first grocery delivery service, raised substantial capital without validating demand, resulting in its downfall. These examples underscore the importance of understanding market needs before scaling a business.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
