What Went Wrong? Failed Companies And Where They Went Wrong
| Failed Company | Reason for Failure | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Jobs' early projects | Multiple failed attempts | Learning from mistakes lead to success (Apple) |
| Unspecified Startups | Running out of cash/ no market need | Importance of capital and understanding market |
| Unspecified Businesses | Poor management | Good management skills are crucial and include goal setting, delegation etc. |
| Enron | Fraud and mismanagement | Monitoring and strict control measures needed |
| Lehman Brothers | Irresponsible lending and risky financial practices | Importance of responsible financial practices |
| Unspecified Businesses | Inadequate funding | Crucial to track spending and secure enough investment |
| Unspecified Startups | Limited pool of venture capital | Seeking out multiple funding sources is key |
| Zappos | Struggled to secure funding in early years | Secured $1 million in VC and turned into a success |
| Vine | Quick success but failed to maintain relevance | Importance of continuous innovation in social media industry |
| Unspecified Businesses | Unrealistic goals | Setting achievable goals crucial for success |
For every successful business, there are plenty of failed ones. Statistics show that the majority of companies fail within the first five years. So, what goes wrong? Why do some businesses make it while others don't?
Businesses fail for many reasons, but some common factors include poor management, inadequate funding, unrealistic goals, and a lack of customer demand. Let's take a closer look at each of these factors.
But first, let's see what Steve Jobs says.Â
Steve Jobs explains why companies fail.
"I'm saddened to report that I've failed a lot in the past 33 years. I've failed repeatedly in my life," says Steve Jobs, the man behind Apple's success. "And that is why I've been able to succeed."
Jobs is not alone in his failures. Many of the most successful people have failed time and time again before they finally found success. The difference between them and those who don't make it is that they learn from their mistakes.
So, what can we learn from the failures of others? Here are four common reasons why businesses fail:
| Characteristic | Share of respondents |
|---|---|
| Ran out of cash/failed to raise new capital | 38% |
| No market need | 35% |
| Got outcompeted | 20% |
| Flawed business model | 19% |
| Regulatory/legal challenges | 18% |
| Pricing/cost issues | 15% |
| Not the right team | 14% |
| Product mistimed | 10% |
| Poor product | 8% |
| Disharmony among team/investors | 7% |
| Pivot gone bad | 6% |
| Burned out/lacked passion | 5% |
Startups are complex organisms that require a delicate balance of many different factors in order to thrive. Unfortunately, even the best-laid plans can sometimes come undone, and startups often fail for a variety of reasons. According to recent studies, the most common cause of startup failure is running out of cash or failing to raise new capital.
This is closely followed by situations where there is simply no market need for the product or service being offered. In other cases, startups may be outcompeted by larger, more established companies, or they may be hamstrung by flawed business models.
Regulatory or legal challenges can also be difficult to overcome, and pricing or cost issues are often cited as well. Finally, it's worth noting that startups are often reliant on the skill and expertise of their team members.
If the wrong people are in place, it can spell disaster for the company.
Poor management
One of the most common reasons for business failure is poor management. This can manifest itself in several ways, such as a lack of clear goals, a lack of delegation, and micromanagement. These issues ultimately stem from failing to understand and utilize available resources appropriately.
When faced with limited resources, it is essential to set clear goals and delegate tasks efficiently to make the most of what is available. Without these critical components of good management, it is tough for a business to succeed. As a result, failed companies often have one thing in common: poor management.
While there are many successful businesses, there are also plenty of examples of poor management. Sometimes, this can lead to a downward spiral from which the company never recovers. Let's take a look at a few case studies of businesses that have been poorly managed.
One example is Enron, which was once one of the largest energy companies in the world. However, due to widespread fraud and mismanagement, it collapsed spectacularly in 2001. This led to hundreds of millions of dollars in losses for investors and left thousands of employees without jobs.
Another example is Lehman Brothers, an investment bank that went bankrupt in 2008 due to irresponsible lending and Risky financial practices. This caused massive economic disruption and led to the loss of billions of dollars in value.
These are just two examples of businesses brought down by bad management. In both cases, investors and employees were left with significant losses. It's essential to learn from these examples and ensure that proper safeguards are in place to prevent similar disasters from happening in the future.
Inadequate funding
Inadequate funding is one of the most common reasons businesses fail. While a number of factors can contribute to this, it often boils down to one thing: not having enough money. This can be due to overspending, not securing enough investment, or simply not having enough cash reserves.
Whatever the cause, inadequate funding can quickly lead a business to failure. This is why it is crucial for companies to carefully track their spending and ensure they have enough money available to meet their needs. By doing so, they can avoid the pitfalls of inadequate funding and give themselves the best chance for success.
Every year, startups across the country compete for a limited pool of venture capital. While some companies can secure the funding to grow and scale, others are forced to close their doors due to a lack of financial support. Inadequate funding is often cited as one of the leading causes of failed businesses.
One notable example is the online retailer Zappos, founded in 1999. The company struggled to secure funding in its early years and was close to bankruptcy several times. However, Zappos eventually secured $1 million in venture capital and became one of the most successful online retailers in history.
Another example is Vine's social media platform, launched in 2013. Vine quickly gained popularity among users but could not generate enough revenue to sustain itself. As a result, Vine was shut down in 2016 after just three years of operation.
While many factors can contribute to a business failure, inadequate funding is often cited as one of the leading causes. These examples illustrate the importance of securing sufficient funding for a startup business.
Unrealistic goals
Unrealistic goals are one of the main reasons businesses fail. This can be due to several factors, such as setting unrealistic sales targets, expanding too quickly, or trying to do too much at once. When business owners set unattainable goals, it sets them up for disappointment and can lead to disillusionment with the entire enterprise.
Additionally, employees may become demotivated if they constantly fall short of expectations. Therefore, it is essential for business owners to set realistic goals that take into account all of the factors involved in running a successful operation. Only then can they hope to achieve lasting success.
There are many examples of companies that have failed because they set unrealistic goals. For instance, smartphone maker Blackberry tried to compete with Apple and Samsung by releasing a series of high-end devices. However, the company failed to gain traction with consumers and eventually had to abandon its hardware business altogether.
Similarly, online retailer Amazon was initially unsuccessful in its attempts to enter the streaming video market. The company poured billions of dollars into developing original content, but it ultimately had to admit defeat and write off billions in losses. These examples show that even well-established companies can fail if they pursue goals beyond their reach.
Lack of customer demand
Businesses require customers to generate revenue and ultimately be successful. However, there are many reasons why a company may struggle to find customers, or customer demand might diminish. If businesses cannot identify these reasons, they may soon work to stay afloat.
One reason businesses may fail to attract customers is if there has been a shift in the market. For example, if a new technology emerges, that makes the business's product or service obsolete, this can result in a dramatic drop in demand. Other times, changing consumer preferences can lead to companies failing to meet customer needs. For example, if healthy eating becomes popular, a restaurant specializing in unhealthy fast food will likely decrease customers.
Another reason businesses may fail to generate customer demand is if they do not have a unique selling proposition. For businesses to succeed, they need to offer something that sets them apart from their competitors. If all companies in an industry are offering the same thing, it can be difficult for consumers to decide which one to choose. As such, businesses need to ensure that they offer something unique that will make consumers want to purchase from them over other options.
Finally, another reason businesses fail is due to poor marketing. Marketing is essential for companies to reach their target consumers and generate demand. However, if businesses do not have an effective marketing strategy, they will likely struggle to develop the necessary customer interest.
Additionally, even if a business has a great product or service, it will fail if no one knows about it. This is why companies need to ensure they are investing in effective marketing campaigns to reach their target consumers and create demand for their products or services.
So, there you have it. These are four common reasons why businesses fail. If you want your business to succeed, avoid these pitfalls. And if you do make a mistake, learn from it and move on.
After all, even the most successful people have failed before finding success.
Famous failed companies
1. Blockbuster
2. Borders
3. Sears
4. Toys "R" Us
5. GoPro
6. JCPenney
7. Pier 1 Imports
8. Forever 21
9. Barneys New York
10. Juul Labs
Yu Payne is an American professional who believes in personal growth. After studying The Art & Science of Transformational from Erickson College, she continuously seeks out new trainings to improve herself. She has been producing content for the IIENSTITU Blog since 2021. Her work has been featured on various platforms, including but not limited to: ThriveGlobal, TinyBuddha, and Addicted2Success. Yu aspires to help others reach their full potential and live their best lives.
