While the following are recognized as being very successful, the numbers will be surprising to many people.
Why ? Because significant achievements are a fraction of the total effort !
Examples of the metrics for those viewed as very successful are –
- The Beatles : 213 songs , 50 #1 hits
- The Rolling Stones : 430 songs , 12 # 1 hits
- Frank Sinatra : 1,200 songs , 209 # 1 hits
- Babe Ruth : 8,399 swings , 714 home runs
- Pablo Picasso : 150,000 pieces , 1,170 hits
From this, even when you are very talented and motivated, because the math is brutal, is why the success rate is low.
And why many startups as well as enterprise innovation and transformation initiatives fail !
However, because of the evolving business landscape and rising User expectations, standing still isn’t a viable option !
The take away from this, from an Enterprise perspective, is the need for portfolio thinking and having an entrepreneurial mindset – if the objective is to be good at Innovation and/or Transformation.
Because of this, only those who are determined, resourceful, and resilient that are willing to try and learn fast, have the potential to make it.
…. by creating significant new value and opportunities
Aug 4, 2026 CAIL Innovation commentary info@cail.com www.cail.com 905-940-9000