# Latest **URL:** https://forum.commoncog.com/latest.md [Latest](https://forum.commoncog.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.commoncog.com/categories.md) --- ## [Welcome to the Commoncog community!](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/welcome-to-the-commoncog-community/7)
**Author:** [@system](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2020, 8:31am UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/welcome-to-the-commoncog-community/7 "2020-09-23T08:31:31Z")
Welcome to Commoncog’s private community! This community is focused on the art of business. The overarching goal may be summed up like so: To be the best ‘third space’ for discussions of interest to business nerds … --- ## [How BlackBerry Died - Commoncog Case Library](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/how-blackberry-died-commoncog-case-library/3741)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2026, 12:52pm UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/how-blackberry-died-commoncog-case-library/3741 "2026-09-18T12:52:15Z")
When Barack Obama entered the White House in 2009, he refused to give up his BlackBerry phone. It was protocol for the president-elect to surrender his personal communication device to avoid the hacking risks. But even o… --- ## [Nike - Living in a Variable Expense World - Commoncog Case Library](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/nike-living-in-a-variable-expense-world-commoncog-case-library/1672)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2026, 10:35am UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/nike-living-in-a-variable-expense-world-commoncog-case-library/1672 "2026-09-14T10:35:23Z")
Nike is a famous global athletic brand. The story of early Nike is perhaps best captured in the 2016 memoir, Shoe Dog, written by co-founder Phil Knight. In a 2022 podcast with Bill Brewster, retail analyst Simeon Siegel… --- ## [There are Many Configurations of Business That Work - Commoncog](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/there-are-many-configurations-of-business-that-work-commoncog/3446)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2026, 9:08am UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/there-are-many-configurations-of-business-that-work-commoncog/3446 "2026-09-14T09:08:18Z")
I’ve had four conversations in the past year where someone said to me, “I have young kids / I have an existing life I’m happy with / I have existing obligations that I enjoy. I don’t know if starting a company is compati… --- ## [How to Use YouTube to Learn Tacit Knowledge](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/how-to-use-youtube-to-learn-tacit-knowledge/978)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2026, 11:45pm UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/how-to-use-youtube-to-learn-tacit-knowledge/978 "2026-09-11T23:45:18Z")
This is Part 4 in a series on tacit knowledge. Read Part 3 here. This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://commoncog.com/youtube-learn-tacit-knowledge/ --- ## [Tom Murphy: King of Capital Cities - Commoncog Case Library](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/tom-murphy-king-of-capital-cities-commoncog-case-library/2124)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 4:51am UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/tom-murphy-king-of-capital-cities-commoncog-case-library/2124 "2026-09-10T04:51:49Z")
In 1995, the Walt Disney Company announced its acquisition of broadcasting powerhouse Capital Cities/ABC Inc. for $19 billion. This deal changed the American media industry forever. It also made history for being the sec… --- ## [Commoncog Forum High Quality Contributions - 2026 H1](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/commoncog-forum-high-quality-contributions-2026-h1/3704)
**Author:** [@Sam](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/Sam)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2026, 6:27am UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/commoncog-forum-high-quality-contributions-2026-h1/3704 "2026-09-05T06:27:00Z")
Welcome to the 2026-H1 Quality Contributions topic to the Commoncog forum. This is part of our goal to make Commoncog the best location on the web for business discussions. It has been a while since our last update; chi… --- ## [How Amazon Survived the Dotcom Bust - Commoncog Case Library](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/how-amazon-survived-the-dotcom-bust-commoncog-case-library/3612)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2026, 12:54pm UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/how-amazon-survived-the-dotcom-bust-commoncog-case-library/3612 "2026-08-29T12:54:11Z")
In May 1999, the weekly newspaper and magazine, Barron’s, featured a now infamous cover story titled “Amazon.bomb” with an accompanying illustration of Jeff Bezos’ face on a cartoon bomb ready to explode. “The idea that … --- ## [Why Tactical Decision Games Work - Commoncog](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/why-tactical-decision-games-work-commoncog/3687)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/why-tactical-decision-games-work-commoncog/3687 "2026-08-25T17:39:54Z")
Two weeks ago John Schmitt ran a Tactical Decision Game (TDG) for Commoncog members. A TDG is an accelerated expertise training method Schmitt developed for the US Marine Corps more than 30 years ago. It’s still widely u… --- ## [When Databases Were a Hot Technology: The Rise of Oracle - Commoncog Case Library](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/when-databases-were-a-hot-technology-the-rise-of-oracle-commoncog-case-library/3653)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2026, 12:42am UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/when-databases-were-a-hot-technology-the-rise-of-oracle-commoncog-case-library/3653 "2026-08-25T00:42:36Z")
On September 10, 2025, Larry Ellison became the richest person in the world, if only for a brief period. His wealth surged after Oracle, the business software company he founded in 1977, reported strong quarterly results… --- ## [How Blockbuster Nearly Killed Netflix, and then Stole Defeat from the Jaws of Victory - Commoncog Case Library](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/how-blockbuster-nearly-killed-netflix-and-then-stole-defeat-from-the-jaws-of-victory-commoncog-case-library/3673)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2026, 11:43pm UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/how-blockbuster-nearly-killed-netflix-and-then-stole-defeat-from-the-jaws-of-victory-commoncog-case-library/3673 "2026-08-21T23:43:38Z")
On the afternoon of January 21, 2007, Netflix CEO and cofounder Reed Hastings was alone in his Park City, Utah home. Netflix was, at the time, known as an online DVD rental company — customers would visit the website, pl… --- ## [How Moats are Built - Commoncog](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/how-moats-are-built-commoncog/3583)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2026, 9:47pm UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/how-moats-are-built-commoncog/3583 "2026-08-20T21:47:45Z")
Building a moat is the difference between having fun with business, vs eating glass all day, every day, for years. This is how moats are actually built. This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at ht… --- ## [How Ford Survived the Great Financial Crisis - Commoncog Case Library](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/how-ford-survived-the-great-financial-crisis-commoncog-case-library/3635)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2026, 6:04pm UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/how-ford-survived-the-great-financial-crisis-commoncog-case-library/3635 "2026-08-12T18:04:10Z")
On December 2, 2008, Alan Mulally was behind the wheel of a “kiwi-green” Ford Escape. That morning, Ford announced it was selling its entire fleet of corporate jets. Now, the CEO was driving the 500-plus miles from Dearb… --- ## [Scaling McKinsey: Inventing Management Consulting - Commoncog Case Library](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/scaling-mckinsey-inventing-management-consulting-commoncog-case-library/3566)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2026, 6:17pm UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/scaling-mckinsey-inventing-management-consulting-commoncog-case-library/3566 "2026-07-31T18:17:51Z")
James McKinsey’s untimely death in 1937, at the age of 48, left his consultancy firm in peril. This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://commoncog.com/c/cases/scaling-mckinsey/ --- ## [Sensemaking as the Heart of Expertise - Commoncog](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/sensemaking-as-the-heart-of-expertise-commoncog/3499)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2026, 6:49am UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/sensemaking-as-the-heart-of-expertise-commoncog/3499 "2026-07-29T06:49:47Z")
A few weeks ago I wrapped up a short series on sensemaking. The explicit goal of that series was to give you better methods to make sense of a potentially disruptive new technology — which at the time of publication (and… --- ## [The Consulting Business Model](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/the-consulting-business-model/1064)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2026, 1:59pm UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/the-consulting-business-model/1064 "2026-07-24T13:59:10Z")
In Singapore, and Malaysia, and India, and Vietnam, if you’re a young software engineer fresh out of college, you have effectively three choices for a first job: This is a companion discussion topic for the original en… --- ## [TikTok — One Very Long Year - Commoncog Case Library](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/tiktok-one-very-long-year-commoncog-case-library/1677)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 6:05am UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/tiktok-one-very-long-year-commoncog-case-library/1677 "2026-07-18T06:05:21Z")
Today, TikTok is commonly described as an addictive drug. In a podcast, sociologist Julie Albright described it as: This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://commoncog.com/c/cases/tiktok-on… --- ## [You can now search across the full Commoncog posts and cases!](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/you-can-now-search-across-the-full-commoncog-posts-and-cases/3576)
**Author:** [@Bennett](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/Bennett)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 5:53am UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/you-can-now-search-across-the-full-commoncog-posts-and-cases/3576 "2026-07-18T05:53:56Z")
Hi everyone! Search just got a lot better. You can now search across the full text of Commoncog posts and cases, instead of only titles and excerpts. So if, like me, you’ve ever wondered, “uh, which post talks about La… --- ## [Site search on the main site](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/site-search-on-the-main-site/2374)
**Author:** [@justin](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/justin)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 3:21am UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/site-search-on-the-main-site/2374 "2026-07-18T03:21:14Z")
The site search can’t find “OKR” or “OKRs”. The Forum search can! Has it got some sort of config to not allow short words? Maybe there is an allowlist you can configure to add some other terms? --- ## [The Origins of McKinsey - Commoncog Case Library](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/the-origins-of-mckinsey-commoncog-case-library/3565)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 3:12am UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/the-origins-of-mckinsey-commoncog-case-library/3565 "2026-07-18T03:12:21Z")
Most people know McKinsey — the storied global consulting firm. Fewer people know that James Oscar McKinsey, the firm's founder, was a mathematical prodigy born and raised in a small farmhouse. So how did a farmer’s son … --- ## [How Swatch Saved the Swiss Watch Industry, But Not From Quartz - Commoncog Case Library](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/how-swatch-saved-the-swiss-watch-industry-but-not-from-quartz-commoncog-case-library/3537)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2026, 3:04pm UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/how-swatch-saved-the-swiss-watch-industry-but-not-from-quartz-commoncog-case-library/3537 "2026-07-05T15:04:13Z")
Swiss watches accounted for over 80% of the global watch market in 1945. Yet, by the time the 1970s wrapped up, the industry was dying. This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://commoncog.… --- ## [How Experts Sensemake - Commoncog](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/how-experts-sensemake-commoncog/3382)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2026, 9:48pm UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/how-experts-sensemake-commoncog/3382 "2026-06-29T21:48:38Z")
This is Part 2 on a short series on sensemaking. You may read Part 1 here. This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://commoncog.com/how-experts-sensemake --- ## [Stanley Ho’s Lucrative War - Commoncog Case Library](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/stanley-ho-s-lucrative-war-commoncog-case-library/2371)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2026, 1:32pm UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/stanley-ho-s-lucrative-war-commoncog-case-library/2371 "2026-06-24T13:32:16Z")
Stanley Ho was the ‘king of gambling’ in Macau for 40 years, the result of a government-granted gambling monopoly he owned from 1961 to 2002. This position was lucrative enough and held by Ho for long enough to turn him … --- ## [Instagram - The Bigger Picture - Commoncog Case Library](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/instagram-the-bigger-picture-commoncog-case-library/1678)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2026, 6:49pm UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/instagram-the-bigger-picture-commoncog-case-library/1678 "2026-06-18T18:49:30Z")
Today, Instagram has over 2 billion monthly active users. Its ubiquity has changed the way we travel, eat, and shop. Interior designers have remodelled countless locations to make them more ‘insta-worthy’. Restaurants co… --- ## [Software Dark Factory Q&A - Commoncog](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/software-dark-factory-q-a-commoncog/3468)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2026, 3:46am UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/software-dark-factory-q-a-commoncog/3468 "2026-06-03T03:46:29Z")
Jun 1 2026 8-9pm PT / Jun 2 11am-12pm SGT. Jay Taylor and Navan Chauhan will give a presentation of a real software dark factory for members. This Q&A will be moderated by James Cham of Bloomberg Beta. This is a compan… --- ## [The Amazing Growth and Predictable Death of Ample Hills Creamery - Commoncog Case Library](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/the-amazing-growth-and-predictable-death-of-ample-hills-creamery-commoncog-case-library/3466)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2026, 1:33am UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/the-amazing-growth-and-predictable-death-of-ample-hills-creamery-commoncog-case-library/3466 "2026-05-31T01:33:38Z")
The story of Ample Hills Creamery is highly instructive. It goes something like this: couple starts modest, bootstrapped ice cream shop in Brooklyn. They make great ice cream, with innovative flavours. Couple gets Bob Ig… --- ## [How to Improve at Sensemaking AI? - Commoncog](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/how-to-improve-at-sensemaking-ai-commoncog/3414)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2026, 1:40am UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/how-to-improve-at-sensemaking-ai-commoncog/3414 "2026-05-29T01:40:23Z")
Note: This is Part 3 of a short series on sensemaking. You may read Part 2 here. This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://commoncog.com/how-to-improve-at-sensemaking-ai --- ## [Live Goldratt Thinking Tools Workshop with Roger Williams - Commoncog](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/live-goldratt-thinking-tools-workshop-with-roger-williams-commoncog/3460)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2026, 3:34pm UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/live-goldratt-thinking-tools-workshop-with-roger-williams-commoncog/3460 "2026-05-24T15:34:31Z")
May 23, 30, Jun 6, 13, 20 2026. Roger Williams teaches how he uses Eliyahu Goldratt’s Thinking Tools. This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://commoncog.com/live-goldratt-thinking-tools-wo… --- ## [Making Sense of Deming - Commoncog](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/making-sense-of-deming-commoncog/1848)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2026, 12:43pm UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/making-sense-of-deming-commoncog/1848 "2026-05-13T12:43:46Z")
A comprehensive summary of W. Edwards Deming's ideas, whose System of Profound Knowledge is one of the most powerful things you'll find on the Operations side of the business expertise triad. Read this, so you don't have… --- ## [How Mark Roberge Built HubSpot’s Sales Engine - Commoncog Case Library](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/how-mark-roberge-built-hubspot-s-sales-engine-commoncog-case-library/3394)
**Author:** [@cedric](https://forum.commoncog.com/u/cedric)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2026, 5:50pm UTC](https://forum.commoncog.com/t/how-mark-roberge-built-hubspot-s-sales-engine-commoncog-case-library/3394 "2026-04-23T17:50:20Z")
Mark Roberge, the head of sales at HubSpot, wasted hours posting ads across job boards while hiring for his team. He got hundreds of applications, completed 50 phone screens and took dozens of in-person interviews. Despi… [Next page](https://forum.commoncog.com/latest.md?page=1)