Set to High, Forgot to Vent: When You Misunderstand Success as Longevity

2025-05-29

The Instant Pot was a game-changing kitchen innovation of the digital age. Pyrex was a legendary household icon for over a century. When a private equity firm tied them together under a single corporate roof in 2019, it seemed like alliance, but it felt like an appliance mismatch. In this episode of Decisions at the Fulcrum, we dive into how Instant Brands incorrectly understood online popularity as a sign of lasting endurance, neglected key qualitative opportunities, and ultimately forgot to ve...

The Instant Pot was a game-changing kitchen innovation of the digital age. Pyrex was a legendary household icon for over a century.

When a private equity firm tied them together under a single corporate roof in 2019, it seemed like alliance, but it felt like an appliance mismatch.

In this episode of Decisions at the Fulcrum, we dive into how Instant Brands incorrectly understood online popularity as a sign of lasting endurance, neglected key qualitative opportunities, and ultimately forgot to vent.

We delve into the Spiral of Silence and the consequences that ensue when nobody in the kitchen pauses to inquire: Is anybody still cooking with us?

This includes topics such as online recipe groups, shattering glass shocks, Black Friday blowouts, and boardroom echo chambers.

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