History Of Eastman Kodak

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The Eastman Kodak company was founded in 1888 by George Eastman in the United States. The Eastman Kodak Company held the majority share of the U.S. market for several years. The main factor to the early success of the company was that they offered best quality of cameras with very affordable for most of the common peoples as price was affordable and quality was awesome as compare to the other cameras which were expensive and professional. Eastman Kodak Company was the first to develop a digital camera in 1975, because it did not fit into the company’s business model of being able to sell those extra accessories, like film, it was not developed any further and the company stopped developing. The Company Failed to keep up with their competitors during the switch to digital cameras, Kodak had to file bankruptcy. But still we should not think that Kodak is out of the camera business still they are continuing to fight for a market share.

The Fuji Photo Film Company, Ltd was founded in Japan many years later than Kodak as it was in 1934. Similar to Kodak, Fujifilm was also extremely popular own country and they also held the majority share of the market. After becoming one most popular film companies in Japan, after that company moved to a global business model because they were popular and most of the market share. Fujifilm did not enter United States until later on, but they really rival Kodak by offering a cheaper film product and getting competitive advantage. Fujifilm became the film sponsor of 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles rather than Kodak.This offer for Fujifilm helped to get the brand known among American consumers. Rather than fearing the upcoming age of digital cameras, Fujifilm diversified their product line and...

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...et themselves get into the mindset that because their company dominates their competitors in the past and present they will always do so in their market. A leader that is responsive to change will be better able to make their corporation flexible.

In conclusion, Kodak is a prime example of how a company should not handle change. Their denial of reality caused them to have a deep fall from grace that could eventually spell the end of their brand if they do not make the necessary course corrections. The bankruptcy may be the thing to save their company if they use it wisely. Fujifilm is the complete opposite in that they realized what the reality of their market was becoming and embraced a strategic decision that would allow them to capitalize on their strengths overall. They are a great example for how a company should be continuing looking ahead to the future.

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