All Episodes

September 3, 2024 • 28 mins
From the heights of being touted as "bigger than the internet" to becoming a punchline in popular culture, the Segway's journey is a fascinating case study in innovation, hype, and the importance of understanding your market. Join Dale and Emily as they dive into the rollercoaster ride of the Segway - the invention that just couldn't seem to find its footing. Discover the key missteps that led to the Segway's downfall, like pricing it out of reach, regulatory challenges, and an inability to adapt. But is it truly a failure, or could the Segway be considered a "successful fail"? Strap in and get ready for a wild ride as we Segway our way through this captivating business tale.Key Takeaways:
  • Just because an idea seems innovative, doesn't mean it's destined for success - understanding customer needs and market realities is crucial
  • Navigating regulations and working with policymakers can make or break a new product's viability
  • Iterating and adapting your product over time, rather than stubbornly sticking to the original design, is essential for long-term sustainability
  • Sometimes an "invention" is not the same as an "innovation" - and the difference can determine a product's fate
So strap on your safety gear and get ready to ride the ups and downs of the Segway saga on this episode of The Big Con!

📕Show Menu - https://bit.ly/bcpshowmenu

The Big Con Podcast: Emily and Dale are bringing you in on the Con. Strategy doesn't have to be something only those who master PowerPoint can do; we're making it approachable to everyone! The Big Con podcast is dedicated to demystifying and simplifying the world of strategy, exploring the businesses and individuals who've either harnessed it for success or missed the mark. 
Subscribe and follow today to get all new episodes in your feed immediately.
Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Intentionally Disturbing

Intentionally Disturbing

Join me on this podcast as I navigate the murky waters of human behavior, current events, and personal anecdotes through in-depth interviews with incredible people—all served with a generous helping of sarcasm and satire. After years as a forensic and clinical psychologist, I offer a unique interview style and a low tolerance for bullshit, quickly steering conversations toward depth and darkness. I honor the seriousness while also appreciating wit. I’m your guide through the twisted labyrinth of the human psyche, armed with dark humor and biting wit.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.