7 Sources of Innovation: the box doesn't exist.

Ever hear the phrase "think outside the box?" An innovator must do more than think outside the box, they should think the box doesn't exist. Here is a short explanation of the 7 sources of innovation, along with examples. Four are found within the industry and three outside the industry.

Within the Industry
1. The unexpected.
Here is a link to 11 stories of unexpected success: http://www.westchestermagazine.com/914-INC/Q1-2012/11-Inspiring-Tales-of-Unexpected-Success/ Also, take note that innovation can also come from unexpected failure.

In every story each business was successful because of the dedication and perseverance they had. For example Arlete Turturro now has a successful cleaning business, even though that was never her dream job. She began a small office cleaning job in order to support her daughter. Sometimes, success of a business comes out of necessity and out of necessity come unexpected success.

2. Incongruity.
Incongruities is the difference between perception and reality. One business that has capitalized on this is Southwest Airlines. Their success has come by low-fares, first-come-first serve basis, and simplicity. Because of incongruities, businesses are able to market on this and create competition. Another quick example is Federal Express. They compete against the US Postal Service, yet their success can be accredited to having overnight delivery of packages and documents.

3. Process Need
Many innovations are a branch of a primary innovation. Process need innovations are innovations created to support a process or product. There are many examples of this. Best Buy's Geek Squad team is a unique process need innovation in that it supports more than just the products in Best Buy but also the store itself. The Geek Squad is a way in which Best Buy differentiates itself from other businesses.

4. Industry Structure
One must follow the changes in industry structure in order to be innovative. A major industry change is the development of the personal computer. Innovators must think about the way to market to this change in industry. The same can be seen with the industry change in communications. Marketing landlines will not get you as far as marketing the next best cell phone.

Outside the industry
5. Demographics
For further innovation, one must pay attention to changing demographics. Where I live there is a large population of Mexican Americans, because of this there are many local Mexican restaurants. A majority of them are successful because they cater to the large Mexican population. Many restaurant chains meet the needs of changing demographics, such as providing food for low income families of all backgrounds.

6. Changes in perception, mood, meaning.
America has a constantly changing perception of what health and beauty are. Because of this whole food stores like Trader Joe's has become popular with the growing perception that whole organic foods are better for personal health. America has also become much more focused on weight loss, thus the rise and popularity of 24 hour gyms. Perception in beauty is not to be overlooked. One can observe the continuous stream of new beauty products on the market. Advertising and media has a lot to do with changing perception, mood, and meaning.

7. New knowledge, both scientific and unscientific
New knowledge can be a great source of innovation. An example of this, that has changed our lives dramatically, was the discovery/creation of the internet and world wide web. New knowledge is constantly being discovered. More recent examples of new knowledge can be seen with the progression of TVs, computers, cell phones. The technology is constantly being improved. It's smaller, thinner, lighter, faster, touch screen enabled, wireless, and the list goes on.

These seven sources of innovation outline ways to be innovative. Innovation can come from  many places. By knowing these seven sources one can continue to push the envelop. If one is aware of their surroundings, of people's needs and desires there is no limit to innovation.

What makes it special? Knowing the competition and designing something better.

In a word of ever increasing options, especially in technology department, how is a consumer able to decide what the right product is for them? As consumers, we are constantly bombarded with so many new devices that essentially are all the same. Here is an article about the unveiling of Hewlett-Packard First Windows 8 Touch Screen Laptop. After reading the article, here were some of my initial reactions: This isn't anything new. Why is touch screen so attractive? How can they compete? What's the best way to market this?

After reading this article, I certainly wasn't convinced that this laptop is the next best, coolest thing to own. Perhaps it's because I already have a laptop and no desire to own a tablet. Granted, the Envy x2 is probably just as decent as the laptop as I own. It does have the neat function of being a tablet with an attached keyboard...but wait, doesn't a tablet have the option of an attachable keyboard already exist? Yes (there are even wireless keyboards for tablets). Which is why I don't see how consumers can decide what to buy. There are just so many choices.

So here is where I get to my real point. We think it's cool to live in a society with so many choices. There's an option for everyone. Devices are continually developed with more functions in all different price ranges. I think we are at a point where the seemingly endless choices are not really all that different. For example, compare the Nook Touch with the Kindle Touch. Both are exactly $99 and both have one Home button. They were designed with the same function in mind, to read ebooks. You could easily compare cellphones in this way. Now try comparing the new HP Envy x2 with the iPad or android tablet, they probably aren't so different. When you get down to it every device is essentially the same.

The real difference in the product is the marketing, advertising, price, image, etc. Which company can market the device to make it seem like you have to have it? If they can do that, then they win. Each company just seems to be trying to outsmart the other. Here I'll amend what I said about the devices being all the same. Each device that comes out requires a degree of innovation to separate itself with other devices and with each new device marketed we are always advancing in the technological world. We are lucky to live in a world with so many innovators designing devices for our everyday convenience.