The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

Gladwell, Malcolm. 2001. The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. ISBN: 0349113467. [Buy from Amazon]

Although not directly related to software development this book should be of interest to all developers. Having built, in software terms, your 'better mousetrap' why is it that people do not always beat a path to your door? By analysing the viral way in which new ideas, fashions, and behaviour tip from being just those of the few to the norm of the many, Malcom Gladwell provides an insight in to how that may or may not happen.

The book takes a look at events, from Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride proclaiming "The British are coming"; through to the growth in popularity of Air Shoes; and the difficulties in trying to convince the young about the evils of smoking. Gladwell uses these examples to identify the context of these situations and the types of people that influence them.

This well written book, that keeps the interest going, identifies what the author sees as the key elements in the tipping point phenomenon and he does it without over labouring the points. Unlike many of it’s contemporaries, which seem to come up with a good idea and the repeat it endlessly until the book is thick enough to warrant publishing, this builds on the ideas all the way through.

For instance why was Paul Revere so successful in rounding up and motivating so many people to counter the approach of the British, when a similar ride on the same night had virtually no success. It had much to do with the type of person he was.

It soon becomes clear that, unless you have a unique person [displaying several traits that Gladwell identifies] promoting your better mousetrap you will need to pull together and enthuse a small group of people of several types to be able to get your message across. You will inevitably need Connectors, Mavens, and Salesmen to succeed, and then you need to be in or be able to create the right context to promote your idea within.

Many books have discussed how to cross the chasm between the early adopters and early majority, as described in Geoffrey A. Moore’s book. Gladwell identifies the type of people you will need to help you do it, and the conditions that may help.

Gradwell goes on to discuss concepts such as Stickiness, the Power of Rumor and the fascinating Magic Number150. That number, if Gradwell is correct, should be ingrained upon the mind of anyone who is building an organization. The moment your social group, or company unit, approaches 150 members you better think about dividing in to other units and keep those to a size below 150.

Much food for thought in this book – I recommend a read for anyone who wants what they do to spread beyond a small group of enthusiasts.