The Idea Blog

Remaking tired companies and business models, now that is a challenge that is necessary in several key industries.

Interesting article in yesterday’s New York Times Magazine about Rick Rubin, the hippy-dippy music exec brought into Columbia to save the label and maybe remake the industry. God knows the industry needs remaking. Music sales - the kind that come on cd’s - are way down, and online sales at places like iTunes, though steadily rising, aren’t taking up all the slack.

Rick Rubin, producer, swami and lover of hip-hop as well as Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond, believes the music has to come first. But remaking the model isn’t far behind.

What other industries are in for makeovers by seeming outsiders? Allan Mulally, formerly of Boeing, is now at Ford - that’s one example. Billy Bean, Theo Epstein and Bill James several years ago brought big change to Major League Baseball.

Real estate is ripe for a change. So is furniture. I want a piece of those two industries.