Incrementalism vs. Innovation: Disruption as an Ecosystem
Brian Solis
Head of Global Innovation, ServiceNow | 8x Best-Selling Author | Keynote Speaker | Digital Futurist
Each year, I have the privilege of participating at LeWeb, a conference in Paris that explores the state of startup innovation around the world. This year, instead of presenting, the cast of usual suspects were tasked with inviting startups that symbolized our takes on the future of tech.
My focus this year was to look beyond innovation or disruption (buzz words, I know) and instead, challenge entrepreneurs, investors and brands alike to consider disruption as an ecosystem.
I believe everything is ripe for reinvention. I also believe anything is open to invention. While there are so many new technologies making the "Wheel of Disruption" turn, I am fascinated by entrepreneurs who set out to create new markets where a complementary ecosystem develops around their work.
In this regard, an ecosystem is any system of interconnecting and interacting parts, as in a business:The success of Apple’s ecosystem, for example, depends on hardware/software integration. That's just the beginning though. Apple has changed how people work, play and learn and as a result, industries, innovation, investments, etc., have emerged and shifted around Steve Jobs' vision. I could go on...
Innovation lies in the ability to shift markets. Disruptive innovation though introduces an affect that makes markets adapt to it. It's a different approach that carries greater impact. All too often, startups confuse innovation with incrementalism. Disruption however, is the result of intentionally setting out to change norms, behaviors and/or creating new markets of supply and demand.
Incrementalism improves something iteratively.
Innovation introduces us to something new.
Disruption interrupts norms and changes behavior.
Innovation is now a constant and we have to start thinking about technology in different ways if we want to create something that continues to be talked about in the next 10 years.
To illustrate my point, I invited two startups that are both innovative and disruptive to their respective industries [videos below].
Please watch.
Video 1: Skully Systems
Dr. Marcus Weller is the founder, chairman and CEO of SKULLY. Dr. Weller introduced the groundbreaking AR-1, a radical new helmet that will forever change riding, the motorcycle industry, driving, and anything where helmets come into play.
Video 2: Andela
Jeremy Johnson is the Co-Founder and CEO of Andela, a revolutionary program that teaches students in Africa how to code. More so, here students don't go into debt while they learn, they actually graduate having earned thousands. Upon graduation, they're placed into a program where they can find new work with companies around the world. Johnson discussed Andela and also the future of open education and talent acceleration.
True innovation and true disruption starts by questioning everything.
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8yWhats only for sure is disruption. The issue that if your company's process and culture is set for regular disruption. Good One, Post More Like This. All Millennials, Are Born Digital. We Need New Processes, New Hierarchy Model, New Management Models. Digital Age Cannot Run On Old Model. There patience, their loyalties and there stress levels are completely different. Everything should be designed for them. Next 10 Years 50% of workforce are Millennials. Let Me Know Your Feedback. P.S.Mahesh, Digital Transformation Consultant I Digital Strategy I Digital Marketing I Social Selling I Linkedin Marketing I Linked Lead Generation I B2B Marketing
Leiter @ Komponentenportal bei PROJEKTWERKSTATT GESELLSCHAFT FUR KREATIVE OKONOMIE MBH
9ySounds very much like Prof. Faltin of the Entrepreneurship Foundation form Berlin. His book 'Brains versus Capital' is summing up his 30 years of work on the concept of entrepreneurial design as the base of creative disruption in the field of entrepreneurship. His book has bin published in Asia, Europe etc. and is well received by well know scholars like Muhammad Yunus and Hernando de Soto.
Former Team Lead, DealerRater sales at DealerRater
9yWhile we can't help be daunted by the "shock of the new", looking at the impact of others is truly inspiring and wakens us to what an amazing world we live in. Thanks #BrianSolis!
Product Management | Digital Transformation
9yVery challenging post Brian
Married to Digital Marketing & FinTech, An Author who loves to write about Disruptive Innovations
9yGreat post Brian..