tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337360001060332600.post2188230184445016892..comments2023-07-25T08:26:50.096-06:00Comments on Learning at Westminster: Can you innovate and focus at the same time?garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05362826471852969332noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337360001060332600.post-31830439435552404342011-12-09T13:28:06.453-07:002011-12-09T13:28:06.453-07:00This is a great post, Gary. I appreciated your th...This is a great post, Gary. I appreciated your thoughts about the importance of looking to particular sources for innovative ideas. It's a bit counter-intuitive (i.e. looking to our histories and traditions); however, it ensures that we maintain our organizational identities and stay true to our missions--something that I don't see happening very often in big organizations trying to be innovative. Too often in our attempts to innovate, we lose sight of who we are. And, at that point, it doesn't matter how "innovative" we are because we've lost our way.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14991593461200755444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337360001060332600.post-47880213992540179262011-12-07T11:10:38.389-07:002011-12-07T11:10:38.389-07:00I like your colleague's stereo system example ...I like your colleague's stereo system example of integration: "Remember when you had your first record player or turntable? And, then you acquired a cassette tape player. Soon, we realized these advances would be best if served up together, so we created a stereo system, pulled together by an amplifier that served as a hub that several other components plugged into. This was followed by the integration of the cd player, then the massive leap into video with the addition of the TV. And, now we are seeing the computer and Internet jumping into this family entertainment system. Innovation drives integration."<br /><br />As my organization continues to innovate--or try to--I think we are struck by the challenge to advance this notion through the terrority of buzz (as in buzz word) and to integrate as well.<br /><br />The language we use to describe it is often, "how do we keep the lights on while 're-inventing?'"<br /><br />Thanks also for making the useful distinction that I realize I've conflated between innovation and invention. As a group, I think a more precise vocabulary always helps us move forward toward a concept or an idea that we can buy into and thus feel some energy toward. <br /><br />This in what can be a long, drawn-out and rattling process.David G. Pacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08166021516215748746noreply@blogger.com