Ever asked yourself how innovation differs from
invention? Well I did, and the answers I found may surprise you! In
search for a clear distinction I came across a large group of
professionals on LinkedIn who have been discussing this paradox for
over 4 years. While it seems that a clear business definition exists,
a holistic version is still up for debate. For a thorough overview of
the 800+ LinkedIn comments courtesy of the headstrong professionals,
follow me through my endeavor to restore a comprehensive perspective in a
very disordered debate.
The real difference between
innovation and invention is contextual opinion.
If you are curious, have a browse of
the 4 year old LinkedIn
discussion attempting to distinguish Innovation and Invention.
Unfortunately they are no closer in determining whether the chicken
came before or after the egg. Although there are many inspirational
definitions proposed, the majority of these clever professional’s
responses make my one year old son almost break out in tears. At one
point the definition of a definition was even discussed. Luckily,
Thad Scheer saved the discussion by pointing out the obvious;
“innovation is a buzzword, invention is real”.
What is an Invention?
The numerous definitions
of invention in the LinkedIn discussion are slightly more consistent
than that of innovation. The majority define invention as something
new, original, creative, tangible and primary. Some of the minor
discrepancies arise around whether innovation or invention comes
first and whether they are mutually exclusive or inclusive. Nikolay
Bogatyrev put it beautifully with his walking metaphor. It doesn’t
matter which foot comes first, the point is, both are required to get
to the destination. In any case, invention is grounded by legal
jargon, and in most conditions patentable.
What is Innovation?
Many definitions of the
term innovation given by the professionals on the forum contradict
each other. I think Juan Velasco said it best, that the difference
between innovation and invention is “point of view”. Many of the
commentators suggested that innovation has to do with market adoption
and profits. Many others identified more broad truths, that
innovation improves and adds value. And yet others suggest innovation
is like an organic or evolutionary process. I have to agree with Lars
Christensen the forum creator when he highlights the most encompassing definition by Wayne Johnston: “invention = creation,
innovation = evolution”.
Professional
Innovation Keynote Speaker Jef Staes
Phillippe Packu was kind to provide a
comment on the forum, and a useful link to a well known innovation expert. Ever heard of a red monkey? Well, Jef Staes explains
innovation using a very interesting analogy of a rain forest. To him
a red monkey is a monkey on the edge of the forest next to the ocean
who wants to evolve because of some inspiration from a red fish. He
goes on to describe how an idea in an organization has to be created
at the edges, pioneered, and followed before it can be adopted by the
rest of the company. I have to admit that his evolutionary approach in teaching innovation methodologies has me intrigued.
Is Innovation synonymous for
business?
Should innovation be strictly a
business term or should business heads recognize its other contexts?
It seems that most of the definitions out there are convinced
innovation is mostly about market success, and profit. Perhaps this
is because, as a whole, business earns the most value from
innovation. Profit is in no doubt a great measure of business
innovation quality. But lets not forgot about all the other types of
innovations and diverse value they can bring. Many personal and open
innovations can value individuals and the social economy.
Can it be
that in our race for wealth we have forgotten what pure innovation is
really about? My one year old is innovating constantly. Are his
innovations new to the world, and will they change the world? Probably not. Nonetheless, he is still innovating new function beyond
the original purpose of existing inventions. In his ongoing creative
search for new purpose in objects and processes, he is inventing new
value for himself. His value has nothing to do with money or markets,
it has to do with enhanced enjoyment. If we are to learn anything
from the innovation and invention purists, it would be to recognize
that every innovative action should strike a balance with the values
rooted in the context of the surrounding environment.
In your opinion, is innovation the pollen or the flower?
