Innovation has become the buzzword of the 21st century. Newer products, newer markets, newer technologies and novel ideas and business models - well, you cant expect a more "strategic fit", can you?? But saying "we need to innovate" and "creating a successful innovation" are two entirely different things.
More so, because, conscious and unconscious assumptions govern our decision making directly or indirectly. So what do we do? How do we break the mould? The answer lies in looking for ideas from uncommon domains, ideas which often have the power to reshape the world. Imagine creating a building based on the architectutal style of termites. Weird, isn't it? But architect Mike Pearce did exactly that. And the site of experimentation - Zimbabwe. A building without air conditioning but a super efficient ventilation system to maintain constant temperatures. This is what we call the Medici Effect, after an Italian family which supported and enhanced creativity during Renaissance. So, basically what are the drivers behind the success of Medici Effect:
1. Movement of people
2. Convergence of scientific disciplines
3. Leap in computational power
If an architect can think of building a structure without an AC, it was because he did not see anything untoward in accepting the confluence of zoology and architecture. It is this power of association leading to uniqueness that is the cornerstone of the Medici effect. And this uniqueness is the source of sustainable competitive advantage.
Ask Volvo, one of the largest utility vehicle manufacturers. They have initiated research on a new collision control system that draws its inspiration from, guess what, grasshoppers. Do grasshoppers collide when they fly in swarms? No. That is the mystery that they are trying to unravel and implement that to create automobiles with increased safety for the passenger. So, the mind has to be opened for influx of all sorts of ideas.
Strategy doesnt mean that ideas have to come from a Peter Drucker or Michael Porter. It means opening your eyes to a world of possibilities.
More so, because, conscious and unconscious assumptions govern our decision making directly or indirectly. So what do we do? How do we break the mould? The answer lies in looking for ideas from uncommon domains, ideas which often have the power to reshape the world. Imagine creating a building based on the architectutal style of termites. Weird, isn't it? But architect Mike Pearce did exactly that. And the site of experimentation - Zimbabwe. A building without air conditioning but a super efficient ventilation system to maintain constant temperatures. This is what we call the Medici Effect, after an Italian family which supported and enhanced creativity during Renaissance. So, basically what are the drivers behind the success of Medici Effect:
1. Movement of people
2. Convergence of scientific disciplines
3. Leap in computational power
If an architect can think of building a structure without an AC, it was because he did not see anything untoward in accepting the confluence of zoology and architecture. It is this power of association leading to uniqueness that is the cornerstone of the Medici effect. And this uniqueness is the source of sustainable competitive advantage.
Ask Volvo, one of the largest utility vehicle manufacturers. They have initiated research on a new collision control system that draws its inspiration from, guess what, grasshoppers. Do grasshoppers collide when they fly in swarms? No. That is the mystery that they are trying to unravel and implement that to create automobiles with increased safety for the passenger. So, the mind has to be opened for influx of all sorts of ideas.
Strategy doesnt mean that ideas have to come from a Peter Drucker or Michael Porter. It means opening your eyes to a world of possibilities.
A small video, where we see Frannk Johannson - author of the book "The medici effect" deliberating on the topic. Happy viewing!!!!
Signing off,
Cheers!!!
Shauvik
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