The Adoption Curve

Groups can spend a lot of time worrying about people who won’t be on board with their idea. When that happens, I find it helpful to grab a marker and flipchart and draw the Adoption Curve.

I explain that,

“You’re the innovators. This is your idea. 

“Your early adopters will be with you no matter what. These are the folks who line up for the new iPhone. 

“Your early majority will wait to see if the idea works for the early adopters. And likewise, your late majority will wait to see if it works for the early majority. 

“Only about 16% of your folks are laggards. You could give them a gold plated Rolls Royce, and they’d complain about the gas mileage.”

“Now: what’s your strategy for each of these groups?”