The Self-Defeating Prophecy and Osborne Effect

Osborne Computer Corporation (OCC) launched the world's first portable computer in 1981. The company founded by Adam Osborne was located in Silicon Valley. Just in a couple of months, about 500 computers were sold daily with 50 000 in the backorder. Sounds cool considering the initial plan was to sell no more than 10 000 computers.?

All of a sudden, Adam Osborne himself announced to journalists that a newer and better edition of the computer, Osborne Executive, is about to be launched. Though this information was never officially published, it is a small world. When dealers learned about the newest edition coming soon, most of the backorders of Osborne 1 were canceled. To keep on sales, OCC reduced prices almost by half?- but who wants to buy something that is about to become a relic? Profit losses continued to mount and in 1983 OCC declared bankruptcy.?

The self-defeating prophecy is a prediction that prevents what it predicts from happening and an Osborne effect is one of its best examples in business. Companies announce upcoming new product launches or updates so carefully not only because they are afraid of spying or want to whip up an audience.

Let's learn from modern tech companies and reveal all information right before the product launch during a series of discreetly organized and thoughtful events and messages!