For years, some American organizations took a relaxed approach to doing business
in which they disregarded the rise of their competitors. In recent decades,
as competition from Asia, Europe, and elsewhere has gained momentum, companies
in the United States that were previously satisfied with status quo began
to pay attention. Recent decades have brought about the realization that traditional
product and service leaders won’t remain leaders in the face of strong
competition. This awareness has served as a wake-up call to those organizations.
Is it too late for those companies to regain their competitive edge? Time
will tell, but the fact that awareness and focus are now centered on creating true
customer-focused cultures is a good indication that there is a strong chance of
success in the future.
