What do Kodak, Blockbuster, Xerox, Myspace, Yahoo, Toshiba, RadioShack, Toys r us, Ask Jeeves, BlackBerry Motion, Polaroid and Commodore all have in common?
They are well-known companies which either failed, sold, or went bankrupt. And even whilst they accomplished great things, the unfortunate fact remains; they will also be remembered for their demise. And the primary causality was their failure to innovate at the correct time and/or in the correct way.
So, what is Innovation?
“Innovation is, at its core, about solving problems.”
~ Greg Satell, Global Transformation & Change Expert, International Keynote Speaker & Bestselling Author on Innovation, Transformation and Change
The four general types of innovation
“Sustaining innovation” is generally what happens most of the time within business, because usually we are seeking to improve or evolve what we’re already doing. We want to update existing capabilities within existing markets, and we have a relatively precise idea of what requires resolution and what skill domains are required to solve them.
Conventional strategies such as strategic road mapping, traditional Research & Development and bringing in new resources and skill sets are usually the most effective in this situation. Design Thinking methods and feasibility of implementation studies can also be enormously helpful if both the problem, and the skills needed to solve it, are understood well.
But prior to the process of innovation is the acceptance of change…and as a species we can voluntarily or involuntarily create barriers, misconceptions, and resistance to that.
What does all this have to do with Public Safety and our Emergency Number Network? Because if we are honest with ourselves, Government, in whatever country you reside, has historically always been risk (or perceived risk) averse and therefore slow to change and innovate.
But why does this matter?
In nature we know that adaptation (change over time) to an environment can ensure the survival of a species. Or not. Look at the giant panda. They are cute (so cute) …but from an evolutionary perspective it’s been argued they are heading down a cul-de-sac. Their specialized bamboo diet, providing low nutrition and energy, their small population size, shrinking habitat, low conception, and cub survival rates all point towards a species that is doomed in the wild and struggling in captivity. Harsh and sad.
Hyenas on the other hand…that’s a species I can get behind. When I was a Field Guide in South Africa (another great time in my life), they became one of my absolute favourite species. Why? Well, if you ever get the opportunity to get “up close and personal” with one of these magnificent creatures you’ll understand where I’m coming from.
Not a canine, or a feline. Hyaenidae. They hunt…and they scavenge. They eat pretty much everything, including digesting bone. Females have female and what resembles pseudo male, genitalia (!). They operate in effective, social, well-organized clans (with the female as leader and matriarch), they are fast, strong, muscular, intelligent, and great parents. The complete opposite of a panda. They are adaptable, tough opportunists.
Whether it’s Nature or even Technology, a failure to “keep up” with what is happening in the world means you may struggle to survive or prosper, and as a result, there will be consequences of failure.
"There's a way to do it better - find it."
~ Thomas Edison
How can we overcome the fear of change? How can we succeed and innovate?
There are considered to be many factors involved in minimizing the “pain” associated with change. Some of these are consciously thought about, others more instinctive. And if we address them in our quest towards innovation, we can ensure movement in the more successful direction:
Advantage: Ask yourself if this easily identifiable? Advantage is different to benefit, which is what you would “hope” to gain. Advantages “things” that enable benefits to exist from the features and functionality offered.
Cost: Time, money, power…factors which are “consumed” whilst going through any change. They should be perceived as being “less” than the original state to ensure barriers are easily overcome.
Credibility: Does the innovating party have your trust? Who are they aligned or partnered with?
Compatibility: Does this change closely fit to what is already being done? Is it a natural step? Making it easier to move towards.
Simplicity: Is it straightforward so it is easy to accept?
And finally…Failure of consequence: This is the most crucial. What happens should you choose to NOT innovate?
The Emergency Number Network is still highly risk averse in adopting new technologies and infrastructures. So what is the failure consequence there?
When our system doesn’t evolve, by not implementing effective location technologies to find mobile callers, it’s people who are ultimately going to suffer. Whether it’s the First Responder or Dispatcher struggling to provide the service effectively, or the person calling 9-1-1 or 112 (10,000 US lives lost annually).
And we should not allow that to continue.
"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals."
~ Henry Ford.