Innovations and their origins

Most innovations happen when someone attempts to find a quick fix to a particular problem. Innovations are about finding solutions that work. This is particularly evident in a recession; in other words, when people must make the most of limited resources.

Illustration

When users turn into innovators

In India, an entire family is able to travel on one scooter: they cling on to the vehicle as best they can. This is a dangerous, yet creative way of using the scooter. Others build improvised cars, consisting of wooden carts with engines from water pumps. Inspired by these solutions, the world's cheapest motor car, the Tata Nano, was produced. It is a very affordable vehicle.

Quick fixes point to real customer needs: they are ideas with a proven market since they are used to solve real everyday problems.

Sometimes we think that something is so simple that we cannot improve it and it isn’t worth the effort anyway since the margin is minimal or the volume of production so low. That said, Kumho, a Korean tyre maker, is reinventing the wheel all the time. For example, they invented tyres that produce red smoke for drifting competitions. By altering details you can take advantage of current trends, according to an article on the management-issues.com website.

Make new versions of existing products

Each reinvention involves innovation – something Nike knows very well. The company focuses on sports and activities, offering more than 13,000 different products designed for particular sports. Nike is constantly meeting preferences of individual sports and age groups while using advanced materials.

You can also take a product that is already being sold and create a new spin-off version. A completely new category was created by Ray Kroc, who was initially selling milkshake machines. Once he visited the McDonald brothers' hamburger restaurant and saw their amazing innovative service. Subsequently they worked together to create the first assembly line in fast food.

-jk-

Article source Management Issues - British website cntaining practical information, tips and advice to managers
Read more articles from Management Issues