I came across some startling statistics the other day. In Washington DC alone a couple of years ago, traffic cameras accounted for approximately $270M in fines. There’s something more amazing than people running lights and speeding going on here. People are having trouble SEEING.
Cameras used for this are almost always in PLAIN VIEW. In many countries and states there are even warning signs stating “speed camera ahead”. Where I live, there are lines on the road that help the camera focus but also show a camera is present. So what does this have to do with Innovation??
I’ve been working to help people and companies be more innovative and this ability to see has really come up as a key differentiator. Successful innovations are, many times, a combination of seemingly unrelated ideas. You have to see the connections. Take for example the MP3 player, the most popular of which is the IPod. Small portable hard-drives and music combined to make toting CD’s obsolete.
I’m convinced that innovation is the only way companies are going to be successful in this economy. To get there, we first must change the fundamentals of how we look at the world around us to really see it.
And speaking of innovation, join me (and get $200 off!) at the World Innovation Forum on May 5th and 6th in New York City. You can get more information here. I’m an official blogger for the event so even if you can’t make it, check back to hear all about it!
