Business Innovation Factory 9 conference September 18 and 19 in Providence. Interesting topic at the time we start looking at things like Collaborative Innovation Networks.
Wanted to post the link, will have a longer post shortly.
Thanks,
Adam
http://www.businessinnovationfactory.com/
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
"If I Had Asked People What They Wanted, The Would Have Said Faster Horses"-Henry Ford
So while killing some time at the dentist, I came across this quote from Henry Ford, and thought it pertained quite well to some of the topics mentioned in chapter 2, as well as the discussion we had during the first class. What a great example of innovation and invention coming together, the automobile. Quoting directly from the text, "Innovation is more than the generation of creative ideas; it is the implementation of those ideas into some new device or process. Innovation requires combining a creative idea with resources and expertise that make it possible to embody the creative idea in a useful form."
Ford didn't invent the automobile, in fact, he was racing them well before he started Ford Motor Company. If he didn't actually invent the automobile, why then, is he the most frequently associated name with the foundation of the modern car? If you were to ask someone what the name of the first car was, how many would respond by saying "Model T"? His innovations in the industry allowed him to advance the previous versions of the automobile and make them available to the public, not just the wealthy. Ford certainly fits the description of 'The Inventor'; tinkering with steam engines as a young man, mastering the basics of an engine, etc. But Ford was more than an inventor, he changed an industry. How did he do this? He delivered something the customer didn't even know they needed--until they had it. Customers had the ability to travel long distances, it was liberating in a way. People didn't have to live near railways in order to get from one place to another. He made his product affordable, and he paid his workers enough to buy the product they made. As a result, his employees were able to buy the cars they built, and sales increased. By 1922, half of the autos on the road were Ford's Model T. Unfortunately for Ford, after time, consumers began to shy away from Ford's auto, and began moving towards larger, more comfortable and expensive competitors. Ford rested on his accomplishments, and didn't continue to innovate while he was ahead. By 1936, Ford was the third largest automobile manufacturer, behind Chevrolet and General Motors.
So, enough of the history lesson. How does this relate to chapter 2?
Could Ford's work be considered "science push" innovation, or should it be considered "demand pull"? I think the quote from Ford frames his thoughts on that question. Certainly, the automobile wasn't in high demand, but it wasn't really a 'science push' approach either. I would say that the concept of the automobile is a bit more of 'science push' approach, but it is really more of the modern-day approach on innovation. The chapter does a good job outlining the sources of innovation, but what's more interesting than the source of innovation is the reason for pursuing something different. Why change? If something worked fine before, why tinker? Perhaps the answer is simple, maybe it's all about money. If you can take something, improve it, make it your own, market and sell it, maybe you can revolutionize the industry. Maybe the answer is more noble. What do you think?
In my opinion, it takes vision and thoughtfulness to be a true innovator; you must have a vision for how your idea will contribute to it's market. Otherwise, it's just an invention.
http://www.hfmgv.org/exhibits/hf/default.asp
Ford didn't invent the automobile, in fact, he was racing them well before he started Ford Motor Company. If he didn't actually invent the automobile, why then, is he the most frequently associated name with the foundation of the modern car? If you were to ask someone what the name of the first car was, how many would respond by saying "Model T"? His innovations in the industry allowed him to advance the previous versions of the automobile and make them available to the public, not just the wealthy. Ford certainly fits the description of 'The Inventor'; tinkering with steam engines as a young man, mastering the basics of an engine, etc. But Ford was more than an inventor, he changed an industry. How did he do this? He delivered something the customer didn't even know they needed--until they had it. Customers had the ability to travel long distances, it was liberating in a way. People didn't have to live near railways in order to get from one place to another. He made his product affordable, and he paid his workers enough to buy the product they made. As a result, his employees were able to buy the cars they built, and sales increased. By 1922, half of the autos on the road were Ford's Model T. Unfortunately for Ford, after time, consumers began to shy away from Ford's auto, and began moving towards larger, more comfortable and expensive competitors. Ford rested on his accomplishments, and didn't continue to innovate while he was ahead. By 1936, Ford was the third largest automobile manufacturer, behind Chevrolet and General Motors.
So, enough of the history lesson. How does this relate to chapter 2?
Could Ford's work be considered "science push" innovation, or should it be considered "demand pull"? I think the quote from Ford frames his thoughts on that question. Certainly, the automobile wasn't in high demand, but it wasn't really a 'science push' approach either. I would say that the concept of the automobile is a bit more of 'science push' approach, but it is really more of the modern-day approach on innovation. The chapter does a good job outlining the sources of innovation, but what's more interesting than the source of innovation is the reason for pursuing something different. Why change? If something worked fine before, why tinker? Perhaps the answer is simple, maybe it's all about money. If you can take something, improve it, make it your own, market and sell it, maybe you can revolutionize the industry. Maybe the answer is more noble. What do you think?
In my opinion, it takes vision and thoughtfulness to be a true innovator; you must have a vision for how your idea will contribute to it's market. Otherwise, it's just an invention.
http://www.hfmgv.org/exhibits/hf/default.asp
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