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Engineering is Over, Sales Have Taken Over
In the early stages of technological development, an engineering-driven approach dominated (IBM, Nokia, Motorola, Intel). During this period, products were meticulously developed, customer experience was prioritized, and solutions that genuinely improved people’s lives were offered. Over time, however, this era was replaced by a “sales-oriented” strategy (Apple, Microsoft).
Today, most tech companies prioritize capturing market share over perfecting their products (DOTCOM). This shift has resulted in incomplete products, poor customer experiences, lackluster technical support, and unhappy customers (GOOGLE). Worse still, in a world already feeling insecure and in struggling economies, these issues exacerbate the negative effects on companies.
Tesla: A Symbol of the Times
Tesla perhaps best exemplifies this transition.
- Unfinished Software: Issues with software or bug-filled updates in Tesla cars are common. Some features — such as full self-driving — have been promised for years but remain incomplete.
- Weak Customer Support: Many Tesla owners report difficulties in receiving adequate support when problems arise.
- Quality Issues: The assembly quality of Tesla vehicles, particularly in paintwork and interior design, is notably lacking.
- Nonexistent Products: Selling a product by showing only its prototype has become a norm. For Elon Musk, accusations of fraud are practically expected. The Roadster is still nowhere to be seen.
Other Examples
Apple
In recent years, Apple has faced criticism for losing its meticulous attention to design. Examples include MacBook models with keyboard issues that went unresolved for years or the “Pro” product line’s hardware missteps (missing ports, battery problems).
Many of Google’s services remain in perpetual beta and are eventually abandoned, creating…
