New book on the global impact of disruption to be published September 22
New book on the global impact of disruption
to be published September 22
Disrupters at the Gate explores the key events and developments that transform the world.
Center director Jeffrey Cole and senior fellow Harlan Lebo have written a book that spotlights the impact of “disruption” — the huge, world-shifting change arriving from unexpected places that turns business models and human behavior upside down.
Disrupters at the Gate takes the reader on a journey from the unlikely successes of “two guys in a garage” to the spectacular failures of once-dominant companies.
“This book explores a host of 21st century issues — such as digital technology, the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of social media, and the emergence of artificial intelligence — that have created an unprecedented environment for disruption,” said Cole. “We will look back on these years as the beginning of the Disruption Age.”
In Disrupters at the Gate, Cole and Lebo offer a definitive exploration of how true disruption actually happens, why it so often comes from unexpected outsiders, and why even the most powerful organizations consistently fail to see it coming or refuse to understand and acknowledge it.
Disrupters at the Gate provides business leaders, policymakers, and curious minds with a clear-eyed framework for understanding disruption — not as hype or theory, but as an enduring force that reshapes the world.
“Disruption comes without warning. By the time most people recognize it, it’s already too late.”
- How the demise of coal-burning stoves led to creating one of the world’s most popular toys
- Why Xerox and Kodak should be bigger than Apple, Google, or Amazon
- How the recording industry could no longer force customers to pay for music they did not want
- Whose legendary product launches inspired Steve Jobs?
- How overweight visitors almost ruined Disneyland’s most popular attraction
- Why Uber had no business being in the transportation business
- How HBO and cable succeeded by discovering outer space
- Why longer lifespans may not be all good news
- How Sweden, in one moment, converted driving from the left side of the road to the right
- How a blunder that made perfect sense almost ruined the world’s best-known product
“At no other point in history has disruption produced such a broad impact,” said Lebo. “Disruption shifts organizations, countries, and people’s lives — often with broad implications that can ripple through society. The impact of disruption can make companies and billionaires — or break them.”
Disrupters at the Gate will be released on September 22 in hardcover, Kindle, and audio book. To order, visit here.
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Praise for Disrupters at the Gate
“No matter your business or profession, you may be disrupted. Read, enjoy, and painlessly learn from this vivid, valuable book.”
—KEN AULETTA, best-selling author and media columnist
“Disrupters at the Gate is a masterwork. Nothing out there comes close to this kind of comprehensive portrait of disruption.”
—EVERETTE E. DENNIS, professor emeritus, Northwestern University
“Disruption is something we have all faced. Disrupters at the Gate defines it, dissects it, and takes us through some of society’s most consequential examples. Great read!”
—BARRY M. MEYER, former chairman and CEO, Warner Bros.; former chair, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
“Disruption doesn’t knock—by the time you hear it, it’s already inside. With this insightful book, you’ve been warned.”
—LYNDA RESNICK, vice chair of The Wonderful Company, philanthropist
“Disrupters at the Gate offers a uniquely informed perspective on disruption that can guide the highest levels of executive leadership on the future of our industry.”
—ANDY HOWARD, co-president, Shamrock Capital
“A must-read. Every business is going to get disrupted; it isn’t a question of if—only when and how. This book prepares you to disrupt yourself before someone else does.”
—IRWIN GOTLIEB, founder, Group M, the world’s leading media investment company; American Advertising Federation Hall of Fame
“Disrupters at the Gate provides invaluable lessons for everyone on how not only to survive, but also thrive in this brave new world.”
—GEOFFREY GARRETT, dean, USC Marshall School of Business; former dean, the Wharton School
“The perfect book to help us understand the age we live in.”
—HAROLD BROWN, entertainment attorney
“Disrupters at the Gate gives a master class on how we got here and where we might be going. A must-read for those of us who are trying to navigate the future.”
—ANDY KAPLAN, chairman, KC Global Media Entertainment; former president, Sony Pictures Worldwide Networks
“An important read for all.”
—DAVID SABLE, vice-chairman Stagwell Global; former CEO, Young & Rubicam
“Disrupters at the Gate explores the strength of innovation and bold thinking from individuals and exposes the weakness of big corporations protecting legacy businesses and quarterly earnings that ultimately leads to their diminished value or demise. I strongly suggest you read this book . . . build a garage and change the world. It can be done!”
—STEVE MOSKO, former chairman, Sony Pictures Television
“Disrupters at the Gate reminds us that no one is untouched by disruption, and will help you see how disruption impacts your life—seen and unseen. The read is fast, furious, and clever!”
—ANGELA JERABEK, executive director, BARR Center (national K-12 education organization)
“In an age where most everything is disrupted, this is an excellent guide.”
—DON PASSMAN, attorney and best-selling author
“Disrupters at the Gate is an unsentimental, rigorous, and deeply insightful guide to the ways technologies, cultures, and consumers collide, overturning not just industries, but entire world orders.”
—RANDALL ROTHENBERG, CEO Emeritus, IAB; author, Where the Suckers Moon: The Life and Death of an Advertising Campaign
“A penetrating analysis of disruption’s impact, a superb and entertaining account of the modern disrupters, and a valuable primer for any organization preparing for a successful future. The book is a terrific resource for everyone from big time CEOs to small business owners.”
—MICHAEL GILBERT, author of The Disposable Male
“As a physician, I was fascinated by Disrupters at the Gate. I learned a perspective I hadn’t previously appreciated, and the chapter on the disruption from weight-loss medications was excellent. I highly recommend this book.”
—ANNE PETERS, MD, professor of clinical medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC
“Disrupters at the Gate is essential reading for anyone steering into the future. It shows how disruption topples industries, rewrites culture, and ignites the next waves of invention. A very, very important read.”
—TOM BERNARD, co-CEO, Sony Pictures Classics
“This book puts a human face on disruption, showing how disrupters change our behavior for better or worse. No book has a clearer view of the future.”
—BOB BOOKMAN, literary agent and motion picture executive
“This book is a thought-provoking wake-up call for anyone looking to stay competitive in an ever-changing landscape. It is a must-have guide for understanding the successes and failures of disruption.”
—ANN MARIE WILLIAMS-GRAY, Emmy Award-winning producer
“Disrupters at the Gate is a must-read for anyone interested in innovation. It takes us on a journey through many of the most impactful innovations in history. Impactful and insightful, Disrupters at the Gate demonstrates how industry-defining transformations occur and what is necessary for the next great disruption. The book offers countless insights and ideas that you can use to innovate or become a disruptive force.”
—KUMAR MEHTA, author, The Information Biome
“A fascinating snapshot of how outside-the-box thinkers can and have changed global generations to come.”
—LESLIE MAYER, executive managing director, Cushman and Wakefield Los Angeles
“Society has experienced many disruptive events from time immemorial, but lately disruptions are coming faster and with more severe consequences. Disrupters at the Gate articulates these society-changing events and gives us a peek at what’s likely to come. This vision of the future should be required reading for anyone concerned about that future and how to deal with it. Disrupters at the Gate is an important book.”
—STANLEY GOLD, investor and former chair, USC Board of Trustees
“This book is a rhapsody of words and pictures that inform, entertain and inspire.”
—DAVID A. KATZ, founder of 1 for 1 Ventures; former head of Fox Sports Digital and CBS Digital
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