Apical Dominance Removal
Killing dominant business unit unlocks innovation in suppressed units.
Netflix killing DVD-by-mail business at profitability peak (2011) removed the dominant revenue source that had been suppressing streaming investment. Once DVD dominance was removed, streaming unit could grow aggressively.
When terminal bud is removed, auxin production stops. Within days, auxin levels drop below inhibition threshold, dormant buds activate, multiple shoots begin growing. This is the same mechanism as branching but at extreme scale - coppicing removes all branches simultaneously, so dozens of dormant buds activate instead of 2-3.
Business Application of Apical Dominance Removal
Killing dominant business unit unlocks innovation in suppressed units. When dominant revenue sources are removed, previously suppressed initiatives can grow aggressively without fighting for resources with established business.