Innovation in the social era- Nilofer Merchant

Innovation In the Social Era

By Nilofer Merchant on Dec 12, 2012 10:49 am

About a year ago, a blogger I had never met posted something online that he called “An Innovation Matrix”. I thought the blogger had a really original idea — something that took innovation both deeper and beyond the Blue Ocean thesis. I encouraged him, certainly guided him, and — every now and then — challenged him. We kept collaborating because of our shared interest, ultimately meeting in person (he lives on another continent!) and going deeper into the topic.

Today, the Innovation Matrix is on Rev 4. And my colleague, Tim, shares his most recent framing. Go check it out in his latest post. It is an idea that when developed could help any organization figure out where they are, and the moves to take based on where they want to be. Tim is going to lend academic depth and rigor because of his many gifts. And I’m hoping to find myself useful in some way.   More than likely, peeking into the future a bit to shape the conversation on not only what has worked in the past, but what will be central in the Social Era.

Beyond sharing the story that this new work is going on, it seemed to me that this is yet another example of how value is created in the Social Era.

- It is geography independent. Anyone from anywhere can collaborate.

- It is cross-disciplinary. (An academic and an operating type walk into a coffee shop … )

- While we certainly hope there will be some way to feed our families while / as we pursue this idea, we start it not knowing what the business model looks like. Passion, purpose, and interest precede the profit model.

- There is no sanctioning needed. We don’t need an institutional blessing (aka Harvard or MIT) to start …though our institutional connections and colleagues at major publications will surely help us shape, vet, and share the idea.

- We’ll be sharing as we go. Which means anyone — quite possibly you — will have ideas on what to include or cover or you will start to challenge our thinking and in doing so, shape ours. You will ultimately be the sharers of those ideas, if you deem them worthy.

 

I look forward to hearing what you think is needed and what you hope we’ll develop — feel free to comment here or on Tim’s blog.

 

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