Once again a “definition” of innovation – this time by Timothy Schigel, the founder and CEO of ShareThis:
There are degrees of innovation, but at its core I would submit that innovation is the result of applying a non-obvious modification to a system resulting in improvements to quality, performance or cost that exceed current expectations. Breakthrough innovations seem to change our definition of a system or product itself.
I share this view of innovation in most parts, but there is one thing that makes it difficult to grasp: the subjectivity. Words like “non-obvious” and “our definition” are definitly signs for a subjective viewpoint. To my mind this is a general attribute of innovation or at least of the degree of innovation. What’s innovative for me is not necessarily innovative for you, isn’t it!?
