The New Growth Imperative...
“The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.” - Oliver Wendell Holmes
Just got back from a wonderful week in Central America. Yes...you heard me right...Central America! Costa Rica and Nicaragua to be exact. A lot has changed there since the cold war of the 1980s. While it is still a very poor region, both countries offer unbeatable eco-tourism opportunities at unbelievable cost. Costa Rica leads the way in eco-tourism through beautiful rainforests, volcanos, coastlines and mountainous vistas. Nicaragua is emerging with similar offerings along with amazing historical and cultural tours.
Anyway, spending a week unplugged was very cathartic. I have come back recharged and full of ideas. We've talked a great length about the need to quiet the mind to let ideas percolate up from the subconscious...and this trip again proved my point!
As we continue to get ourselves caught up in the worry and panic of the "current" economic crisis, it again struck me how important creativity, problem solving, innovation and risk taking are going to be in pulling us forward. While the vast majority of organizations are looking at cost cutting moves to simply tread water, the smart organizations are taking risks, learning new things, talking to customers/consumers, and listening to employee ideas for growth and improvement. Add to this fact that after a decade of focus on waste elimination, there are few, if any, low hanging fruits left in which to realize measurable impact from cost reduction activities.
Be assured...we will not emerge from this most recent crisis without a number casualties. Some of them will be large...some will be small. But also be assured...we will emerge with a number of new to the world organizations, products, services and business models. We always have, and we always will. You'll notice I put the word current in quotes above when talking about the economic crisis. That's because it isn't the first time we've been through this, nor will it be the last. We need to take a deep breath, step away from the panic, return to the fundamental lessons learned from each past crisis and choose to be survivors.
This is our new imperative. A growth imperative. Choose to survive through growth. Choose to grow through new ideas. Look forward, not back. Add, don't cut. Take a chance, not bury your head in the sand. Remember...this growth formula is pretty easy:
Just got back from a wonderful week in Central America. Yes...you heard me right...Central America! Costa Rica and Nicaragua to be exact. A lot has changed there since the cold war of the 1980s. While it is still a very poor region, both countries offer unbeatable eco-tourism opportunities at unbelievable cost. Costa Rica leads the way in eco-tourism through beautiful rainforests, volcanos, coastlines and mountainous vistas. Nicaragua is emerging with similar offerings along with amazing historical and cultural tours.
Anyway, spending a week unplugged was very cathartic. I have come back recharged and full of ideas. We've talked a great length about the need to quiet the mind to let ideas percolate up from the subconscious...and this trip again proved my point!
As we continue to get ourselves caught up in the worry and panic of the "current" economic crisis, it again struck me how important creativity, problem solving, innovation and risk taking are going to be in pulling us forward. While the vast majority of organizations are looking at cost cutting moves to simply tread water, the smart organizations are taking risks, learning new things, talking to customers/consumers, and listening to employee ideas for growth and improvement. Add to this fact that after a decade of focus on waste elimination, there are few, if any, low hanging fruits left in which to realize measurable impact from cost reduction activities.
Be assured...we will not emerge from this most recent crisis without a number casualties. Some of them will be large...some will be small. But also be assured...we will emerge with a number of new to the world organizations, products, services and business models. We always have, and we always will. You'll notice I put the word current in quotes above when talking about the economic crisis. That's because it isn't the first time we've been through this, nor will it be the last. We need to take a deep breath, step away from the panic, return to the fundamental lessons learned from each past crisis and choose to be survivors.
This is our new imperative. A growth imperative. Choose to survive through growth. Choose to grow through new ideas. Look forward, not back. Add, don't cut. Take a chance, not bury your head in the sand. Remember...this growth formula is pretty easy:
- Ideas + Dedication = Innovation
- Innovation = Growth
- Growth = Money
- Money = Success
Posted by Paul Williams at 10/27/2008 9:35 AM 
Categories: Creative Problem Solving, Innovation, imagination
Categories: Creative Problem Solving, Innovation, imagination
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