RICHMOND IS GOING THE WAY OF THE BLACKBERRY PHONE AS HARD TIMES LOOMKane Cornes
SEN
2 May 2023Remember the BlackBerry?
It was the smart phone used by business professionals and government employees who loved the secure messaging and email capabilities.
I had one, I loved it. They were sensational phones, particularly for effectively typing an email on the innovative keypad.
At its peak, in 2011, BlackBerry had a global smartphone market share of around 20 per cent. 20 per cent! For perspective, the iPhone's market share today is 24 per cent.
However, BlackBerry's market share began to decline rapidly with the rise of the iPhone, which offered more advanced features and better user experiences. Put simply, the iPhone was cooler. BlackBerry was slow to adapt to the changing market and to compete with the newer devices.
By 2016, BlackBerry's global smartphone market share had fallen to less than 1 per cent.
Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper thought they were buying the BlackBerry in 2011 when they actually purchased one in 2016.
There are apparent similarities between BlackBerry and Richmond.
Both dominant forces that looked indestructible.
But the opposition copied their strengths while adapting and innovating to improve it, getting quicker, less clunky and cooler, and beating them at their own game.
Both BlackBerry and Richmond were slow to adapt and ignored the opposition. They made poor business decisions, and before they knew it, they were wiped out.
Taranto and Hopper were sold the dream. Come to Richmond, play in big games on the MCG in front of big crowds and win premierships – just as Prestia, Lynch and Nankervis had done before them.
That was sound in theory; however, in reality, they are playing for a team that kicked six goals against a bottom six opposition in front of 23 thousand fans at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
They are closer to winning the wooden spoon than another flag.
Taranto and Hopper were sold a pup.
Quickly, questions have arisen over the future of the vital leadership figures at Richmond.
Significant change is imminent.
BlackBerry never recovered.
With Tasmania coming in and years and years of compromised drafts to come, and the club coughing up an exorbitant bounty for Hopper and Taranto, it is difficult to see Richmond recovering in under a decade.
It pays to adapt, be ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the competition, and make sound business decisions.
Who is closer to a premiership, Richmond or GWS?
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/05/02/richmond-is-going-the-way-of-the-blackberry-phone-as-hard-times-loom/