The Commercialization Process Advisor

Innovation Comes In Many Forms

Innovation can happen anywhere in just about any thing that you can think of.  It can be formal or informal.  It can be planned or spontaneous. 

The government is now officially in the innovation business.

Reframing for Innovation

Innovation happens in many different ways.  Sometimes it is based on making minor changes to existing products and processes.  Other times it is made by taking two remotely related or totally unrelated concepts and smashing them together.

An example of this is the new transportation concepts that are being developed around the world.  GM and Segway are collaborating on a ultra-mini two seater two wheeled commuter vehicle.  Tata Motors, of India, is going a step further.  Not only are they developing an affordable commuter vehicle (priced under $2400), they are also disrupting the entire automotive manufacturing and distribution system.

This video on the Tata Nano describes this incredible automotive innovation.

The Trashing of Bio-fuels Innovation

Talk about a time-condensed microcosm of the last few economic cycles!  Wow!

Have you paid any attention to the ethanol market, or lack there of?  Bio-fuels were flying high just a few short months ago when everyone assumed gas was going to hit $5.00/gallon.  Then people started driving less and gas prices started falling – globally.

The gas prices approached, and then soared right through the $2.00/gallon mark (depending on where you live).  The media stopped talking about energy.  By this time banks were failing, car companies were shouting uncle and money managers were looking for the most discrete exit off the stage.  Their economic mishaps alone provided enough material for most of the news media.

When demand falls, prices fall.  Complex multinational forces may or may not allow supply to adapt.  So, because of some competitive pricing in the traditional energy markets, a budding, but quantifiably problematic, alternative energy solution has been once again, sidestepped.

As of a few weeks ago several ethanol companies, as well as the domestic suppliers (farmers) who supplied their main raw materials were failing.  These companies and their suppliers were attracting major investment and making soaring profits just a few short years ago.  That is no longer the case.  Those that invested in this future fuel – lost, and in many cases lost big.

This is a perfect example of what happens in innovation – though on a much larger scale.  Innovation is introduced to the market and some will say, “This is great!  We’ve got to have it” while others will say, “so what?”

Then, something, anything will go wrong with your flawless plan and it will seem like an insurmountable set back.  This set back or obstacle may or may not be caused by something that is in your direct control.

If you are passionate, focused, lucky and true to your goals then you will persevere through the obstacles – some how, some way to make it happen.  Basically your innovation or invention will stay on the path to success.  Just remember that paths can be long and winding.

Also, remember that the people who said, “this is great… we’ve got to have it” will be a very small group compared to those who say “…so what?”  That’s okay because your early adopters are a very valuable group that you should learn to listen to, interact with and learn from.  When things go wrong you will lose some of them, but many will find a reason to stay as long as their needs are being met.

And that brings us back to bio-fuels.  You see, crude oil prices will rise again – maybe not this month, or this year – but it won’t be long.  When they do rise there will be a scramble for alternatives, and bio-fuel, though not perfect will be there to fill a need.  It also reduces dependence of foreign oil and enhances national security as well as providing a base for a new economy (in some rural areas) and much needed domestic jobs.

You see, sometimes true innovation is resilient and sometimes has to wait for society to catch up with it.

True Innovation Breaks with the Status Quo

Sure, we all know that innovation is an overused word that means different things to different people.  True innovation rarely comes from the status quo.

Here are some examples of innovation and innovative thought that challenges your presumptions and possibly your view of the world:

• Auto innovation is not limited to Detroit and the major global car manufacturers.

• Economic development innovation may challenge your worldview and can happen independent of traditional government tools.

We are in a time of unique challenges.  Unique challenges require unique solutions, and that is where true innovation comes in.