Starting an entrepreneurial business, or maintaining the competitiveness of a mature business, requires innovation. Yet everyone I know seems to have a different perspective on.what constitutes real innovation, and why is seems to happen so rarely. Another challenge is to debunk some of the common myths that seem prevent many from even assuming they can innovate.
As a starting point, I like the Wikipedia simple definition of innovation as “the application of better solutions to meet new requirements or market needs.” I also enjoyed a new book, “63 Innovation Nuggets for Aspiring Innovators ,” by George E. L. Barbee, based on his 45-year career and work as an innovation guru with several Fortune 100 companies and the Darden School of Business.
Some of the most common innovation myths that Barbee mentions or I have encountered in my work with entrepreneurs around the world include the following:
1. True innovation can only come from R&D and geniuses.
2. Innovation must be driven top down by visionary leaders.
3. Real innovation only happens in entrepreneurial organizations.
4. Innovation is random, and can’t be orchestrated.
5. Individuals who are innovators are born, not bred.
6. Solution innovations need to be perfected before going to market.
7. “Thinkers cramp” and “organization cramp” limit innovation.
8. It’s impossible to innovate in a staid complacent culture.
Coined from FORBES >>
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