Innovation 101
Published by Bob Foster
“There is an almost inevitable institutional drift toward Centralization & Complex Processes & Hierarchy…at the expense of Innovation & Adaptation.”
—-Tom Peters
It is this “…at the expense of Innovation & Adaptation” that has plunged the U.S. down the list of innovative nations. If what Tom says is true–and I believe it is–then it is definitely up to small businesses to be the innovators who brings the U.S. (or any country) back up the list.
Typically, when someone thinks “Innovation,” they immediately think of electronic gadgets, the Internet, social media, Silicon Valley, or any new invention that may change our social status or the future of mankind. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, those things mentioned certainly are innovations, but they are not what innovation is all about. Here is Webster’s definition of Innovation: “the introduction of something new: a new idea, method, or device.”
Innovation can, and should be, everywhere…in our businesses, in government, and in society in general. Here is an example of a basic form of innovation:
Justin Esch and Dave Lefkow were having drinks with friends when they came up with the idea for “Bacon Salt.” They quit their successful jobs at a Seattle technology company and set out to perfect their idea. Working out of Esch’s garage, with zero marketing budget, they sold “Bacon Salt” products to 25 states and 12 different countries, and are expanding worldwide as rapidly as they can.
They also continue to innovate by expanding their “Bacon Salt” concept to other products. Their current hot seller on their web site is bacon flavored lip balm…they’ve sold 10,000, and many sales are to repeat customers.
Esch and Lefkow are a worldwide phenomenon, and last year raked in $1.4 million in profit–just from a combining bacon and salt. Not what one would call “high tech.”
(Justin and Dave will appear on Oprah Friday April 24).
How does the U.S. (or any country) develop and promote a culture of creative thinking–Innovation–in jobs; in society; and in the lives of their citizens? It is going to take changes in education, in family values, in governments, and in individual entrepreneurs. Can we do it?
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Great post! Since I live in one of the technology industries (by “live” I mean I that am an entrepreneur) I too, am guilty of immediately thinking that “innovation” has to be some kind of technology breakthrough.
Funny how something so simple can indeed make such an impact… and yet still the business starts in someone’s garage.
Jeff – Thanks for the comment. I think there will be more innovative ideas, and products, coming out of bars, diners, home offices, and garages, than will ever come out of all academia. I at least hope so, because that is the only way any country will gain on the world’s list of great Innovators.