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"Large vendors can't follow an idea just to see where it leads. Startup vendors bring innovation to you so you can succeed."

Well, large vendors are exactly the ones who can just follow an idea an see where it leads. Startups need to focus. See Google, see Microsoft Research, see IBM, etc. It's another story why they don't do it enough and why the results often do not reach production, but the statement is definitely false.

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Agree that large vendors "can" but don't alway "do." Not sure Google is the typical large company though. Microsoft Research is a great example though. As is Walmart Labs and any other division built on the Skunkworks model.

Though, IBM is selling off what were core assets because they don't deliver the growth and margins that Wall St require. It's either a great move to move towards the future, or a sign that they aren't able to serve customer's needs. Kudos to their leadership for seeing it no matter which one it turns out to be. I'd love to hear Clayton Christensen's thoughts on IBM's recent moves.

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