‘Digital Natives’ vs. Captain Hook

‘Digital Natives’ vs. Captain Hook

A true story, bro

When I was a kid, one of the things I looked forward to most during the holidays was the Sears Holiday “Wish Book.” My eyes would grow wide with wonder. Every kid wanted everything in that book, especially from the last few pages, which included the Atari and Intellivision video games. Even though we had home computers before we were 10, we all still learned how to read with paper books.

But as the years went on, childrens’ wish lists for the holidays seemed to grow and shrink at the same time. It seems the toy list has faded away and things like Barbie and Tonka trucks are long gone. Everything has become about electronics in so many ways: iPods, smartphones, tablets. Even Toys R’ Us entered the tablet market.

There have been studies for over a decade on “Digital Natives” and how they understand and interact with the world. Yes, I know, not all “Digital Natives” are the same or have the same experiences. People can preach all they want about “Digital Natives” and how they think differently, but there’s one thing people seem to be overlooking and what makes them successful versus the Captain Hooks of this world.

Maybe your brain just rewound and said, “Captain Hooks”? What is this guy talking about? To me, Captain Hooks are those companies that stick to the same old thing all the time. They have the arsenal: army of pirates, pirate ship, cannons, a treasure chest full of gold, even a hooked hand. Some mad skills for a pirate. So why are the “Digital Natives” taking them by surprise?

One word: speed. “Digital Natives” react with speed. So many times that speed taps out skill. “Digital Natives” can react at such a different pace. Think about how hard it is for poor old “Captain Hook” to turn that ship around.

Everywhere I look I see so much of this. You see it in business, and you see it in life. I was at my daughter’s school’s open house a couple of months ago. The school offers digital library books the 6th graders can take out. Awesome. Well, except for the fact that it is against school policy to have a tablet in school. Oh, an archaic Captain Hook rule that hampers how she learns best.

You see businesses succumb to this all the time. They have so many processes in place that it’s hard to change gears when they have both old and new adversaries (The Crock and Peter Pan). But they don’t really need to worry much about the old adversaries. They are in the same boat.

If Captain Hooks don’t adapt, the “Digital Natives” will, over time, simply cut off their other hand.

Maybe they should simply just add a motor to the boat.

Bryan DeLuca

To comment on this Viewpoint, go to www.eebeat.com/?p=5943