Losing the Signal

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Winner of the National Business Book Award and a #1 National Bestseller, this captivating account reveals how BlackBerry orchestrated one of the most remarkable technological successes of the twenty-first century, only to falter amid the fierce smartphone competition, management indecision, and the collapse of a key partnership in Canadian business history. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the relentless pace of modern success and failure. Central to the story are two contrasting co-CEOs—Mike Lazaridis, the innovative thinker, and Jim Balsillie, the aggressive strategist—who transformed their company from modest beginnings above a bagel shop in Waterloo, Ontario. Through innovation and bold tactics, they outmaneuvered formidable global rivals, establishing a thriving enterprise in just over a decade with a revolutionary phone that reshaped communication. BlackBerry's devices became so prevalent that even President Barack Obama preferred them. However, as the company rose to prominence, internal issues emerged just as it faced fierce competition from Apple, Google, and Samsung. When BlackBerry attempted to adapt, it faltered with delayed and poorly received products, leading to a dramatic decline. Within fifteen years of its launch, the company saw its U.S. market share plummet from fifty percent in 2009 to less than one percent by 2014. This work by seasoned journalists Jacquie McNish and Sean Silcoff offers a l