How can we learn without innovating?

We have become a civilization focused on following predefined tasks and processes. Rather than a society that builds a bold future.

Several civilizations throughout history have experienced decline due to a lack of innovation, but one prominent example is the Roman Empire. 

The Romans excelled in architecture and law but stagnated over time. Declined in innovation and grow in luxury consumption by the ruling class contributed to their fall.

Today, people fear innovation as if it's a beast. They lack the confidence in their abilities to face this beast called innovation. Most think they have to be the likes of Al-Khwarizmi, Leonardo da Vinci or Avicenna. To create new ideas.

When a society doesn't practise a subject, it will never turn into a skill. Because of their submission to the risk of losing their investment. Or the need of a large investment of time, capital and resources.

In business or life most of us like to stay in their comfortable zone. Deal with what we know is safer than being bold dealing with the unknown. This is understandable.

But what is life without adventure and discovery?

It must be boring, living the same routine, the same order. No new challenges tackled, no reward for inner creative spirit. We as humans crave interesting adventures but we don’t like to leave our zone. what a contradiction.

If we don’t change how we do things. We won't develop, miss creating new opportunities and stay at the same level of our horizon.

That very act will prevent us from gaining new knowledge. That enable us to be ahead of those who chose to stay in their safe path. How else we move ahead?

We need knowledge. Only through discovery and testing we can create knowledge. Using innovation processes in business, life and science.

Why we innovate?

To build knowledge that solves our problems. Knowledge is not given, it is something we must seek. We have to change the wrong perception about what innovation means.

We have a brain for a reason. To think, express our thinking in ideas triggered by our environment challenges. We bring ideas to life to solve existing problems and improve something is not working well. So innovation involves turning new ideas into practical and valuable outcomes. Such as products, services, processes, or solutions.

It's not thinking up ideas but executing them to bring change or improvements.

Creativity is the foundation of innovation. It’s about imagining possibilities and thinking beyond the norm to generate original ideas. Creativity is what generates ideas and innovation delivers our own ideas.

Despite people recognize the need of innovation. There are objections to execute innovative ideas. These objections stem from misconception, fear of unknown, resources concern, skills and knowledge gap, and perceived risks.

James Dyson encountered many objections. When trying to bring his bagless vacuum cleaner to market in the 1980s. Vacuum manufacturers dismissed Dyson's idea. Believing that bagged vacuums were the only viable option. They failed to see the potential of his bagless design.

Retailers were hesitant to stock Dyson's new product. Fearing it wouldn't sell compared to familiar bagged vacuums. Despite these objections, Dyson persevered. He launched his vacuum in Japan, where it became a success. This led to its introduction in the UK and later worldwide, revolutionizing the vacuum cleaner industry.

I understand these concerns. But if we zoom in to understand what are the types of innovations. Many must at least choose one to innovate according to the size of the risk and budget. At the end, new products or improved ones are a must to stay relevant in the market, society and life as whole.

Even musicians have to always renew themselves to stay relevant to their fans and sell albums and concerts. They keep up with industry trends and evolving musical tastes.

Why innovation is important?

Innovation is crucial for business and society at large. It plays a role in economic growth, new ideas expand economy and create jobs. In changing markets, innovation is a business competitive advantage. To stay relevant and differentiate itself.

Like I mentioned, a business or individual can innovate based on the amount of risk and budget. There are there types of innovation. Incremental, evolutionary and revolutionary.

Incremental Innovation:

Small, step-by-step improvements to existing ideas or products. Example: Adding new features to a smartphone model each year.

Evolutionary Innovation:

Significant improvements that build on existing systems or technologies over time. Example: Transitioning from traditional cars to electric vehicles like Tesla.

Revolutionary Innovation:

Groundbreaking ideas that create entirely new markets or change how to do things. Example: The invention of the internet or the first smartphone.

We either respond to challenges or decline. If an individual don’t respond to their own challenges. They will decline in skills, knowledge and social status so is the business and society as a whole.

Thanks for reading, we will talk in the next letter.

Ahmed

By the way, here is:

1. A fun way to connect with people that leads to opportunities Toilet Mind

2. A new way to innovate and solve business challenges Neo Strateje