TMCVocabulary
How to Balance Standards & Innovation
By Michail Tsatsanis
Results
The Company was successful in obtaining the standardization concessions required for their
products to be standards compliant. The combination of modest objectives, hard work, patience
and detailed strategy paid off.
Lessons Learned
The first lesson for startups is "don't bet the farm on standards". The Company was innovative
with the implementation of the technology, so that it minimized its exposure to the standards
process. The second lesson is that standards battles are long, uncertain and require a well
executed plan. Do not underestimate the resources required and the time it will take to move
the standard your way. The Company set out modest goals and worked methodically over a period
of two years to achieve success. The third lesson is that winning support from leading
customers is paramount to successfully influence the standards process.
