Innovation: time to move on
Okay, okay, we all know that innovation is important to the survival of companies and all that. We also know that customers, lead users, staff, academics, other industries, and -- oh yes -- other countries can be sources of great ideas. But what are we actually doing about this? Have we actually started moving from thinking about innovation to doing it -- from talk to action?
Starbucks gets into innovation hyperdrive
I was totally impressed when I read a recent Starbucks Taiwan press release the other day. Not because of the typical PR guff contained within the Web page, but thanks to the little "widget" (don't know exactly what to call this thing) on the right hand side of the Web page. You can see it here. It simply asks, "Got a great idea? Tell us." Now that is an honest and decent attempt at capturing ideas from a variety of sources and should be applauded. Less talking and more listening is also a good way to get ideas.
The challenge, of course, is knowing which ideas to pursue. Not easy.
As Joseph Schumpeter said ages ago, the biggest obstacle to innovation is a lack of will not intellect. Often, people just don't give a shit. Here, innovation takes a back seat to problem solving (reactive innovation). Without a genuine will on all fronts, you're basically playing at innovation.
Innovation requires a desire to transcend beyond mere problem solving. This is why innovation goes hand in hand with brands, which are also all about transcending the material.
In the case of Starbucks, the attitude has very rapidly gone from one of hubris -- when times were good -- to "sit up, pay attention or your arse is out the door," as one of my high school teachers used to tell us.
Image thanks to Topleftpixel.
I was totally impressed when I read a recent Starbucks Taiwan press release the other day. Not because of the typical PR guff contained within the Web page, but thanks to the little "widget" (don't know exactly what to call this thing) on the right hand side of the Web page. You can see it here. It simply asks, "Got a great idea? Tell us." Now that is an honest and decent attempt at capturing ideas from a variety of sources and should be applauded. Less talking and more listening is also a good way to get ideas.
The challenge, of course, is knowing which ideas to pursue. Not easy.
As Joseph Schumpeter said ages ago, the biggest obstacle to innovation is a lack of will not intellect. Often, people just don't give a shit. Here, innovation takes a back seat to problem solving (reactive innovation). Without a genuine will on all fronts, you're basically playing at innovation.
Innovation requires a desire to transcend beyond mere problem solving. This is why innovation goes hand in hand with brands, which are also all about transcending the material.
In the case of Starbucks, the attitude has very rapidly gone from one of hubris -- when times were good -- to "sit up, pay attention or your arse is out the door," as one of my high school teachers used to tell us.
Image thanks to Topleftpixel.
posted by Gordon Graham at 9:07 AM
2 Comments:
Awesome image! Starbucks realizes that they have reached a point whereby innovation is a must if they have to survive long-term. It's a great test for the company. We'll see what they'll do.
Hey Herman! The branded green straw is quite a nice touch, don't you think? Instantly recognizable. But should Starbucks be selling smoothies, which they now do? Thanks for commenting.
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