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Differentiate with "smarts" (not margin)


Does innovation always add value? Consider a product like "ring", some of you may be using this at your own homes as a replacement for your existing doorbell. This product integrates the function of the doorbell and adds a camera and ability to talk back and forth.  This incremental invention certainly presents different features and conveniences; but at the end, the process remains the same, someone waits outside the door for another to greet them. 



On the other end of the spectrum… you are the type of person who is simply bored with incremental innovation and is all about disruptive innovation.  Bold indeed, I like your style. Let's say that you have established a way to eliminate any form of refrigerant in air conditioning systems. Your invention has replaced refrigerant with an inert gas like krypton or helium.  As you might imagine disruptive innovation can be exciting and risky.



So when your objective is to differentiate yourself with your client, and be perceived as an innovative organization, which path should you take?  BOTH.  Innovation is not much different than sales, as you are hunting the elephant you can shoot and sustain yourself on lots of rabbits. From my experience, as with many things in life, the trick is balance.



The key to either approach is to make sure your process of vetting and qualifying innovation, for both internal and external use, gets to a "dud or diamond" answer as quickly as possible.  Spend time discussing with your organization the process which you will use to leverage innovation.  Don't be afraid to study how innovation impacts industries outside of your own, you will be amazed at the similarity of service providers.



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Next post:  changing workforce

See all of the "last mile worker" posts here:  http://lastmileworker.com

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