innovation

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not supporting the method, only the direction.

My childhood created an air of exasperation when I observed companies, including the auto companies, producing inferior products for which there were technical or scientific solutions.  Why build inferior products when a superior product would provide greater benefits over the long-term, promoting greater customer satisfaction and loyalty.

This was always explained to me as a product lifecycle and short-term economic thinking.  Which, in hindsight, is what got the car companies into the mess they’re in now.

Along comes this article that expresses the same thinking that was in vogue 50 years ago and, judging by the fact that this article was even written, will still be around for many decades to come. 

Innovation goes much deeper than it’s textbook definition would describe.  Once someone has introduced a new concept to an established business model there will always be those that only see “the good ol’ days” and look no further than the next days profits.  I applaud GM for being loyal to the idea of innovation now that they have finally come around to enlightenment. 

Would you like to read the article that set me off?  If you do the link is below.

GM clings to hydrogen, 2015 set for launch – SmartPlanet

Patrick