28 responses to “How Netflix got its groove”

1. 

   Vincent Witzel February 10th, 2009 at 08:10

   I had never looked into the background of Netflix before and it’s interesting to finally see who is behind the whole idea. What I like the most about the Fortune article is where Reed explains why they called the company Netflix, instead of DVDs by Mail – it shows that they really thought their business idea through before making any decisions on their name, which could have proven to be problematic at a later stage.

2. 

   Casey Zeller February 10th, 2009 at 08:33

   Vincent brings up a great point about how Netflix did a great deal of market research before launching the company. It is so important to think about even the name of the company. It must be catchy to gain attention, but also be relevent to the product. I liked to read the secrets to his success. In one he says not to underestimate the competition. Even when people think of something new, there is always someone who will come and try to make it better. This shows how important it is to always stay on top of the competition.

3. 

   Devarshi Patel February 10th, 2009 at 08:46

   It seems that some of the best entrepreneurs of US have been produced by Stanford!!!
   good luck

   999

4. 

   Margaret Kendrick February 10th, 2009 at 08:46

   I thought it was great how the article included in there the success secrets. Like Hank has been talking all about in class, Reed Hastings didn’t try to target everyone. Instead, he had a specific audience in mind. I never knew the story behind Netflix, nor did I know that it had been around for about 10 years. I personally don’t have a Netflix account, but I’m sure one day I will end up signing up for one. Like Casey pointed out, just because there isn’t necessarily any huge competition when you start out doesn’t mean there won’t be in the future. I think this is a great example of how you should never underestimate anyone else.

5. 

   Sarah Peck February 10th, 2009 at 09:22

   I thought this article in the Fortune magazine was interesting because I have questioned how Netflix got started and how they managed to become more successful. It shows how they were destructive and the market was ready for a new product and Netflix was starting at the right time when our market needed this.

6. 

   Breanna Ware February 10th, 2009 at 09:38

   The secrets of success portion of the article highlighted great tips to remember when starting a venture. I think the fact that Netflix is a company that has had success and stays open to changes in order evolve will only make the company more successful.

7. 

   Katie Robinson February 10th, 2009 at 09:52

   Its interesting how something so small and simple such as mailing you dvds to your home can be so successful. As it was said above by Casey and Margaret this company might not be very big to start with, but as the time goes there might be more competition to for mailing dvds. I know that companies have tried to get Netflix kicked out of the market by doing something different that can get their customers back. From what I see I don’t think people will go back because this seems more convenient to them.

8. 

   Michelle February 10th, 2009 at 09:59

   Well I have to say that I defiantly liked NetFlix and when I go to Block Buster the due date is always on my mind. That’s why I don’t rent from Block Buster that often, not to mention the price. You get a lot more for your money with NetFlix.

   I liked the secret tips section. And I know that you have to solve a specific problem, but I didn’t really think about the competition aspect.

   I know that being an entrepreneur takes a lot of guts because in a lot of cases your lively hood is on the line. If the company goes under, then so does your income not to mention the collateral like your house or car.

9. 

   George Takahashi February 10th, 2009 at 10:16

   I’ve been using NetFlix for quite some time and have never really thought about it as a company out of the ordinary. Although I must say, upon further review, there is a lot going on in the back end of this company. I do like the ability of queuing my movies to send them to me as I watch them.

10. 

    Spencer McKee February 10th, 2009 at 10:58

    It cool to know some of the history behind a company that I’ve known about for a long time. When I first heard about it, I figured it would never be as successful as it is today, even rivaling popular movie rental stores.

11. 

    Emily Hirsch February 10th, 2009 at 11:17

    I am always interested in the inside scoop behind these entrepreneurial companies. I believe one of the really important secrets to success brought up in this article was to stay flexible! If your original idea is not working out maybe just a small aspect of it needs to be tweaked in order to be more successful. I believe it is important to not get discouraged and keep striving toward success, even if you’re on a different path than you had planned on being.

12. 

    ShaunGreene February 10th, 2009 at 11:38

    The competition aspect is an interesting issue, and how Netflix didn’t have serious competition (like blockbuster) for 6 years, but when blockbuster did compete, they went for the kill (spending over $500 million!). Luckily Netflix is agile enough and smart enough they are still around. I wonder if there are numbers as to how much blockbuster’s competition has effected Netflix?

13. 

    John Bortoli February 10th, 2009 at 12:39

    I had no idea NETFLIX started back in 1999, I think that it is going to eventually take over all movie rental stores across the U.S. simply because it is way easier, more convenient, and nobody likes a late fee

14. 

    Kavika Daga February 10th, 2009 at 12:54

    It’s interesting to read about how Netflix started. I wasn’t aware of the fact that it is only a decade old. However, I think to start something like Netflix. It is already a big threat to movie rental stores, but I think it will completely overtake them in the coming years.

15. 

    Greg Watson February 10th, 2009 at 13:49

    This Netflix article is exactly the example of how most entrepreneurs get started. Reed Hastings, the CEO, had a late fee of $40 and felt embarrassed about it. To fix his problem, he thought about mailing movies instead, and then he acted on the idea and made millions. He will continue to make money if he follows these simple entrepreneur motives. As the article says, don’t be afraid to change the model, target a niche, and never underestimate the competition. You can’t get overtaken, and you must always be better than your competitor.

16. 

    Tim Sutton February 10th, 2009 at 14:06

    Like manhy of the others, I had never looked into Netflix nor have I rented any of their movies. However, I am very motivated and inspired by the founders drive. This is yet another example of how their are business opportunities right in front of all of us. No idea is a bad, and the worst idea is one that isn’t tried.

17. 

    Andrew Sadler February 10th, 2009 at 14:15

    Netflix is a great idea, and personally, I use it religiously. Being able to get two DVD’s at a time and not having to leave your house is very convenient.

    Also, I always hated that feeling of walking into Blockbuster and realizing the movie I had driven 20 minutes for was already rented out, this problem is never evident in my experiences with Netflix. The real catch for me with this service is that they send you a pre-postaged envelope so all you have to do is walk them right back out to your mailbox.

    Best of Luck to Mr. Hastings!

18. 

    Stacia Hazzard February 10th, 2009 at 14:49

    I never have used Netflix, but I want to try it. I agree with Andrew about driving to Blockbuster to have the movie you wanted is sold out. I get frusterated and if I would use Netflix I could avoid the frusteration. I liked how Reed tried his idea by mailing CD’s to his house before he jumped the gun. It shows he really thought about his idea and he truly wanted to make it work. He is a go getter and that’s want a entrepreneur needs to be.

19. 

    Felipe Burneo February 10th, 2009 at 15:45

    I liked the part in which Reed Hastings emphasizes in not underestimating the possible competitors. Who would know that Blockbuster would invest so much money in order to take NetFlix out of business.
    The perfect way of fighting this “violent” business policy was differentiating the service/product that Netflix offered and continues to do. That idea was the one that kept the company floating and I’m sure it will continue to do so.

20. 

    Micah Johnston February 10th, 2009 at 15:45

    I’m not a user of Netflix, but some of my friends are and they aren’t disappointed by any means. I imagine that Reed became a member on the board of Microsoft after the deal to send Netflix movies over the internet to any Xbox 360 with a membership plan with Netflix. My friends use it all the time. It’s practically intantly sent to you with no mail waiting. This jump in service will definitely spring Netflix forward gaining the upper hand on it’s competitors. I wonder though what compromises Netflix agreed to (obviously Reed was made a member on the board, but for what in exchange).

21. 

    Allison Yeater February 10th, 2009 at 15:55

    I think it’s always interesting to learn the background behind successful companies, like Netflix. Netflix was definately disruptive when it first came out and still is very widely used. I myself do not use it but I know people that do and they enjoy it very much. The background behind Netflix is an interesting one and proves yet again that anyone no matter what their experiences can create a successful business from just an idea.

22. 

    Annie Lopatin February 10th, 2009 at 22:40

    I have heard about Netflix and their success before, but the story never gets old. I think it is really cool to learn the story about how a company becomes successful. Netflix came out right at the time when it was most needed.

23. 

    Sikhanyisiwe Nkala February 11th, 2009 at 01:09

    Netflix is amazing. I have personally used it and like the idea of just mailing the DVD’s back. They have even started trying to do things like this in South Africa. It was interesting to learn about the background information about how this company really started. I was amazed i like how they completetly changed the idea of entertainment

24. 

    Trisha Delsart February 11th, 2009 at 01:44

    Netflix definitely has the upper hand on renting DVD’s. In my home town most DVD rental stores are going out of business. Weather or not this is due to Netflix’s services they are getting customers who would have gone to the store buying Netflix’s product. Everyone hates running to the store to pick it up and drop it off. Netflix has alot more movies to offer than the store does. Netflix is a great company with much room for growth.

25. 

    Brian Crowder February 11th, 2009 at 06:17

    Definitely found it interesting that he put his little “Tips to Success” at the end. I always enjoy reading what business owners say about little tips and tricks with entering the market. A lot of them tend to say the same things…

26. Internet Dvd Rentalsn and Netflix Reviews February 11th, 2009 at 17:11

    [...] How Netflix got its groov [...]

27. 

    Matt Holmes February 12th, 2009 at 12:18

    Like some of the others who have posted, I do not personally use Netflix, but I have several friends who do. The recent deal with Microsoft to stream movies directly to the Xbox360 was a very wise move for both, bringing Microsoft closer to their goal of the Xbox as an all-in-one media center, and bring Netflix greater marketshare. Two of my friends with a 360 use this service and are quite happy with it.

28. 

    Amanda Jones February 16th, 2009 at 23:53

    Even in the name of their company they were forward thinking knowing that technology quickly lends itself to change they did not name it “DVDs by mail.” Cassidy learned some things the hard way but it is part of what made his company so successful. And you can never underestimate the ability for competition to come out of anywhere even after it is unexpected.