Sins of the innovator

3 points by joeythibault 16 years ago | 6 comments

jamesbressi 16 years ago |

Ugh, I so didn't want to revisit this article yet again, especially after promising I was done ranting on this, but I believe many can take issue with the seventh deadly sin of innovators of Pride "You won't give up on your favorite idea - even when the numbers prove you are wrong."

Numbers cannot always quantify and predict outcome. Again, Twitter -- while the plans I have heard of to generate revenue sound exactly like what I would be focusing on, there was no real business model or revenue model early on. Facebook was in a similar situation.

To really drive home the point, look at the history of toilet paper. YES, toilet paper. Did you know originally no one wanted to buy it because of the taboos around it in society at the time? The "numbers" would have told you that no one wants to wipe with a roll of tissue paper and to close up shop. Well, we know how that turned out.

jamesbressi 16 years ago |

I completely disagree with the first sin of lust for innovators. Maybe it wasn't explained the way it was intended?

You should ABSOLUTELY be innovating "in a space you have no business being in." Who's to tell you to not be there? Did Apple have no business to get into cellular phones? Did Odeo have no business dabbling in social networks, thus the creation of Twitter?

I say you should look to innovate in spaces that you have no business being in. Your unapologetic curiosity and potentially oblivious depth of understanding in that "space" is a fundamental element to many innovations.

Silly.

joeythibault 16 years ago | |

I agree with you, but I also agree that major changes in a companies focus can really hurt morale (if the employees aren't sold on the idea they'll push back).

Also, I think the author would agree with you to an extent. Apple really did push into a market where they didn't have any prior business, but their experiences and expertise really paved their way to success.

jamesbressi 16 years ago | | |

Yes, major changes in a companies focus can hurt morale. BUT, when you have a clear vision and mission, changes should be an expected constant. No one really handles change well, hence the reason so many biz books are written on how to manage it. And, morale goes down when the employees don't buy into the vision and mission, but if the company shows the correlation and it holds true to their vision and mission, morale shouldn't be hurt for that reason. I'm over simplifying a bit and opening up another can of worms, but I'm sure you get where I'm going.

Thank you my friend for engaging in debate. I love people like you in communities like HN. Makes participation that much more enjoyable.

jamesbressi 16 years ago | |

Furthermore, when you may be oblivious to the conventions of a "space" and have an unapologetic curiosity and approach, you will most-likely defy conventional wisdom and practices which usually breathes new life into old spaces.

OK, I'm done ranting on this piece. Curious what you think of my two statements. I guess your votes will tell.

Cheers.

DanielStraight 16 years ago | |

Conveniently, the author disagrees with himself on that point:

"You're both going to get kicked to the curb by someone outside your industry who is rightly focused on the consumer (and not either one of you)." Emphasis mine.