In a recent program, we had a spirited discussion about innovation versus replication and best practices. The leading question was about if replicating the best practices of others was really innovation.
Many people believe that they are innovating or inventing when they are just copying or borrowing the work of others. Even when they add their own spin or own take on the matter, is it really innovation?
This is a tough concept. Drawing the line between what I built and what I built using something I saw and liked is very thin. Maybe the best definition is about the number of potential solutions to an issue. When no single solution is sought, innovation can be acheived. When we work towards a single, defined solution, that is more likely to result in replicated activities.
Tim
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
2 comments:
Although the line may be thin, I believe some of the best achievements, inventions and advancements have been made by someone taking someone else's idea just a bit further.
How many times do we have owners of companies who think they have taken their business to the highest point and sell off only to have a new owner come along and sales sky rocket to new heights. The new owners expand in areas the seller thought impossible. This is innovation!
Or we see something that is good, even great all the while thinking if only it had this...it would be better. The innovative people make it better and actually improve where the originator thought it was at it's best. This is innovation!
Replicators see the dollar sign and replicate it, give it a new name and capitalize on someone else. It pays off faster that is for sure!
Innovation occurs when you take what others have used and make it better. If you came up with something completely on your own, it would be called Inspiration or Creation, not Innovation.
If there is nothing of yourself, you didn't "tweak" anything, its merely replication.
--Zoby
Post a Comment