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⚠️ Don't Dig Your Own Grave: Avoid These Product Mistakes
Microsoft, Google, Coke, and Amazon made these mistakes so you don't have to. Here are 4 important lessons for you.
Aneesha S
July 05, 2023 • Approx. Reading Time: 6 minutes
Read Time: 4 min
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Building products can be challenging, and mistakes are inevitable along the way. Even the biggest players make blunders, and it's not limited to product managers. Making mistakes is okay because they lead to valuable learning experiences. As the saying goes, "To err is human."
Making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process, but it's important to reflect on them and learn from them. While mistakes may not always be your own, it's crucial to take them seriously and remain cautious when building products.
That's why I've compiled this post on common mistakes made by top companies to help you avoid failures and achieve success faster.
1. Microsoft Zune
 The Microsoft Zune HD | The Microsoft Zune was a portable media player that aimed to compete with the iPod. The product failed to gain traction due to a lack of brand recognition, limited features, and poor marketing. Zune also faced criticism for its software and user interface, as well as its lack of compatibility with popular music services like iTunes. Microsoft discontinued Zune in 2011, and its market share never surpassed 10% during its five-year lifespan. |
Lesson:
Even with a well-known brand, a product may not succeed if it lacks features or is not marketed effectively.
2. Google Glass
Google Glass was a wearable computer that used a head-mounted display to provide augmented reality information to users. The product failed to gain widespread adoption due to privacy concerns, high cost, and a lack of practical applications. Most people were uncomfortable with the idea of being recorded or photographed without their knowledge, and the device was banned in some places, including movie theaters and bars. In 2015, Google discontinued the consumer version of Google Glass and shifted its focus to enterprise customers, where it found more success in industries such as healthcare and manufacturing. |  Sergey Brin wearing a Google Glass |
Lesson:
The technology and lessons learned from Google Glass have paved the way for further development of wearable technology and augmented reality devices in the future.
Products that raise privacy concerns or have limited practical applications may not be successful in the market.
3. New Coke
 The 1985 New Coke Ad | In 1985, Coca-Cola introduced a new formula for its flagship product, Coca-Cola, called New Coke. The new formula was widely disliked by consumers, and Coca-Cola was forced to revert to its original formula. The introduction of New Coke was met with significant backlash from consumers who were loyal to the original formula. Many consumers viewed the change as a betrayal and launched protests and boycotts. The company received over 40,000 letters and calls from angry customers, and some even stockpiled the original formula. The Coca-Cola Company eventually realized its mistake and reintroduced the original formula as "Coca-Cola Classic" just a few months after the launch of New Coke. |
Lesson:
The New Coke debacle is widely regarded as one of the biggest marketing blunders in history, and it serves as a cautionary tale of the importance of brand loyalty and how even market research can lead to costly mistakes.
4. Amazon Fire Phone
The Amazon Fire Phone was a smartphone that aimed to compete with Apple and Samsung. The product failed to gain traction due to a lack of app selection, a high price, and a poorly received 3D interface. The Fire Phone had some unique features, such as a 3D display that used four front-facing cameras to track the user's head movements and adjust the display accordingly. It also had a feature called Firefly, which could recognize objects and provide information about them, such as where to buy them online. The Fire Phone was discontinued in 2015 after Amazon wrote off a $170 million loss related to the product. |  The Amazon Fire Phone |
Lesson:
The failure of the Fire Phone is a reminder that brand recognition and ecosystem are important factors in the highly competitive smartphone market, and it's difficult for new entrants to break in without a compelling value proposition and a clear point of differentiation.
That’s it for today! Let me know if you want to see more such product failure and lessons posts in the future!
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