Innovation on the Edges
Lately I’ve been reading more on innovation — where and what enables it. A common denominator seems to be related with *bottom-up* or to be more precise on **the edges**. In this article an overview of interesting research and a couple of visionaries who are evangelising that: innovation is happening on the edges.
First and foremost there is John Seely Brown (ex-Xerox Parc) who has been studying and writing for years on innovation. Currently he is the co-chairman for the [Deloitte Center for the Edge](http://www.deloitte.com/view/en_US/us/Industries/Technology/center-for-edge-tech/index.htm). This center researches the importance of innovation and how it can be stimulated. Their mission:
[...] helps senior executives make sense of and profit from emerging opportunities on the edge of business and technology. What is created on the edge of the competitive landscape—in terms of technology, geography, demographics, markets—inevitably strikes at the very heart of a business.
Crystal clear I say. Recently they have published the 2009 Shift Index (download the PDF). A typical looking consulting report — but interesting content.
It remains to be seen how much of these insights will permeate throughout the global Deloitte network (eg. Europe). But I think this a very strong asset for a consulting firm such as Deloitte. Also Mr. Brown and two other colleagues also keep a regular and interesting weblog called The Big Shift where they discuss all the issues related with this big shift.
Secondly, but coming from a completely different corner, is Stowe Boyd. Himself originating and communication much more in bottom-up way — he too is foreseeing a shift. He summarizes this shift:
Instead, it is about control moving from the central, large, mass-market organizations — which includes media companies, but also other large organizations, like government, religious organizations, and so on — out to the individuals — we, the people — at the edge.
Most of his writings can be found on his website called /Message : himself being the messenger of the message:
[..] focused on the growth and adoption of social tools, and their impact on business, media, and society.
In his artice Edglings: A Well-Ordered Humanism and The Future Of Everything he gives a list of the characteristics how the edges look like and what its values are:
- Bottom-up, egalitarian
- Subjective, Partial
- Networks
- Post-nuclear networks
- Regionalism
- Participative
- Multicultural
- Restorative, Sustainable
- Decentralized, Enigmatic, Nature based
These articles and visions strongly resonate with my personal vision of the future. Does it do so for you? What is your take on this big shift?
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Alright than. So my post still makes sense! Umair Haque anyway is a sharp mind on this stuff. I wonder which people handle this topic in the Netherlands. Do you have any idea?
Does innovation make better products? Often it doesn’t. Read the Awesomeness Manifesto by Umair Haque
http://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/haque/2009/09/is_your_business_innovative_or.html
Very nice article Charles. But does the notion of ‘edges’ disappear in the age of awesomeness?
No, quite the opposite. I think innovation on the edges is a catalyst for awesomeness.