Alpha companies don’t always have the best leaders!
by Miki SaxonBy Wes Ball, author of The Alpha Factor – a revolutionary new look at what really creates market dominance and self-sustaining success. Read all of Wes’ posts here.
In my fifteen year research project for my book, The Alpha Factor, that finally uncovered the core transferable secrets to creating sustainable market dominance no matter how big or small you are, I discovered something that seemed to fly in the face of most business mythology. I discovered that many companies that are the dominant leaders are not run by extraordinarily gifted visionary “leaders.” I know that the book Good to Great came up with the conclusion that “great” companies had great leaders, but I did not find that to be true across the board.
A prime example: Harley-Davidson. They are clearly the Alpha in the cruiser motorcycle category and have been for many years. In the mid-1990s, Harley-Davidsons were found to be the most desired item in the world. Not the most desired motorcycle; the most desired item.
Yet their leadership is not visionary. It is not inspirational. It is not truly “Alpha” material.
The difference between H-D and many other Alphas, Victoria’s Secret for instance, is that one created its Alpha status, the other had it thrust upon them. Victoria’s Secret very purposefully created the aura and dominance they enjoy. Harley-Davidson discovered that they had that aura after they finally got their quality up to an acceptable level in 1983, after the company was purchased from AMF.
H-D’s “Alphaness” is the result of their customers, not their own marketing or strategic vision.
Because of that difference, we may be watching the beginning of the demise of one of the greatest success stories in American manufacturing, as H-D begins to let its quality slide, as I heard from one distraught factory manager.
Could we see them slide into oblivion over the next decade or so, just because their management doesn’t “get it?”
What a shame. As a long-time, die-hard Harley fan, my hope is that they finally catch their customers’ vision!
