The Myth of Innovation
Let me tell you something that will probably give you shivers: You are not unique.
Yes, I will take that back straight away I am never talking about you as a character. There is only one of you out there, you are uniquely special. This is not referring to you as a person, or you as a team entity, but rather to you as a business, offering products or services.
Your idea is not unique, your service is not unique, we have heard all this before, it is nothing new.
Because frankly, Everything is a remix.
What you get wrong about innovation
Everything that exists in this world, has existed before. And yes, this insight also applies to a tech startup. Clearly, you can say there has never been a level of technology like it at this point in time, and that is what makes you unique. The truth, however, is, that you as a business are here to solve problems for your customers. The problem you are trying to solve, and how you are solving it, that is just another version of what already exists for ages. Your innovation is just a remix album with a new cover photo.
Are these statements shattering peoples dreams? We have the same old problems we had since forever.
But there is good news for all of us:
The same old problems are here to be solved, in a way that makes lives easier, more productive, enjoyable, safe, convenient, attractive and impactful.
- Sina Port
So yes, you are unique, in your unique position, with your unique personality and strengths tackling this (common) problem with a (common) solution.
What constitutes true innovation
When we talk about an innovative business opportunity, we cannot erase uniqueness from the centre of the conversation.
But what is uniqueness really, and how does it reflect in your brand?
To find out what that is, you have to understand your USP.
USP = Unique selling proposition
Cambridge definition of USP:
a feature of a product that makes it different from and better than other similar products and that can be emphasized in advertisements for the product
The YOU factor is your USP.
Your purpose is your USP.
Your values are your USP.
Your experiences are your USP.
Your stories are your USP (!).
Listening to your customers, that's your USP.
Stop claiming innovation if you are simply another one in the picture with another solution for a common issue because eventually, another team will come claiming the same spot, it just happens.
3 months after you had a "unique" idea, 10 same "innovations" entered 10 different markets, which were more prepared than you were, holding that unique idea to your tiny group of trusted teammates. That's is just how it goes.
“Your idea doesn't matter half of what your execution does.”
Some more great news? Read the part about "entered 10 different markets"? Well, the world is big and it is interconnected, it has incredible talent and networks. There is really NO excuse to NOT tackle a market that has not been affected by your "unique" idea yet, and you do not always have to pick the main players.
The biggest companies invest in Startups in emerging markets (see Amazon), and the biggest entrepreneurs copy solutions and trends and apply it to a niche audience (see Tesla). Frankly speaking, they understand that with the accessibility of technology, every market is an opportunity, and you better invest in a blue ocean than a red one.
The last lesson on the way to an innovative life.
The Basics of Creativity
Again, everything is a remix.
Copy
Transform
Combine
The elements of creativity apply to intellectual property as it does to any type of product or service.
At our roots, our creativity is a combination of what already exists and our power to either patiently transform those into new creations or combine existing ideas to a new form of execution.
Innovation is therefore not reserved to the genius, but those who execute and keep executing until they fill the need of a market and dominate.
“Keep curiously creating.” - Sina Port
