Companies scaled aggressively by stretching supply chains across continents, adopting just-in-time models, and chasing cost reductions at every step. Lean was the mantra. Speed was the weapon.

For a long time, global success followed a clear formula. Companies grew by scaling what already worked, replicating products, processes, and operating models across borders with speed and consistency. Scale was synonymous with strength. The more markets a company entered, the more legitimacy it seemed to gain.