A well-known political strategist from Britain, Dominic Cummings previously served as Prime Minister Boris Johnson's advisor. He has made a number of perceptive observations about politics and business, one of which emphasizes the difficulties big businesses face in staying relevant over time.

According to Cummings, internal systems that grow inflexible and antiquated cause large corporations to frequently struggle to remain in line with reality. As a result, these businesses may find themselves unable to promptly adjust to shifting market dynamics or technological breakthroughs, which could ultimately result in their demise within a few decades.

Consider a big ship navigating choppy waters. Although it might be well-suited for calm waters, its rigid structure makes it challenging to move quickly in the event of abrupt weather or direction changes. Similar to this, large corporations frequently have bureaucratic structures and vast infrastructures that work well in times of stability but turn into liabilities when things change quickly.

Startups, however, can be more nimble, like little boats that can make their way through rough seas. They can swiftly change course to seize new opportunities or counter threats because they are not constrained by extensive bureaucracies. They can upset established markets and occasionally even overthrow long-standing giants thanks to their agility.

Cummings' observation emphasizes how crucial flexibility is in the fast-paced business world of today. Similar to how a ship must constantly adjust its sails to effectively navigate through unpredictable waters, businesses must continuously innovate and streamline their operations to stay relevant and competitive.