OT - inflection point
Well, the classic example of derivatives is motion in physics - position, velocity, and acceleration as the curve, first derivative, and second derivative. If we extrapolate from acceleration into the business world, an inflection point is where you change from growing the business to shrinking it - or vice versa. Your "acceleration" changes direction.
I think in the business sense, the term is used to mean a "point of no return." The French Foreign Legion motto "March or Die" comes to mind - rephrase as "Grow or Wither."
To picture the true business impact of such decisions, think of a car whose accelerator works as a brake 1/5 of the time. The brake does the same thing, randomly accelerating 1/5 of the time. Now consider rush hour traffic made up of cars with the same "feature." That image captures for me the chaos of a free market - knowing where you want to go, with uncertain means of getting there, while dodging the effects of others using similar means.
And, occasionally, you just get flattened by a truck. Like now.
- Mitch (bigscalyfoot@BambimeetsGodzilla.avi) |
