"Big companies are like marching bands. Even if half the band is playing random notes, it still sounds kind of like music. The concealment of failure is built into them"

This quote by Doug Coupland is a commentary on the nature of big business. He is recommending that even if a large company is not operating optimally, it can still seem successful. This is due to the fact that the large size of the company can mask any individual failures. It is like a marching band, where even if half the band is playing random notes, it still sounds like music. The concept is that the cumulative effort of the business can offset any specific mistakes. This quote is a pointer that appearances can be tricking, and that it is essential to look beyond the surface when evaluating a business.