Are you making history?

Let me ask you a few questions about your present organizational initiatives:

  1. Will they have a direct and/or material effect on people's quality of life?
  2. Do they address a compelling need? Do they solve a compelling problem?
  3. Are they fresh, new breakthroughs? Is there a "WOW" factor?
  4. Will they change the way business is conducted?
  5. Will they increase the efficiency of how resources are used?
  6. Will they spark an ongoing stream of new innovations on top of the original innovation?
  7. Will they lead to the creation of a vast, new industry?

How did you do?  Pretty good?  Not so good?  What's stopping you?  A paucity of ideas? I don't believe it.  It's something else, isn't it?

This coming Monday, February 16, PBS' Nightly Business Report will celebrate three decades on the air by revealing the 30 most important innovations from the last 30 years based on those seven questions. Watch the show, and then sit back and really soak in the fact that the original "idea" behind each and every one of their chosen innovations was rejected by the prevailing orthodoxy.  Just like you're rejecting the ideas that will make you great today.

Posted February 11, 2009
Email this post   Bookmark and Share   

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d8341c684b53ef0105371d7ce5970b

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Are you making history?:

Comments

Mike Wagner

Tom, thanks for the heads up on the NBR show. It sounds like must watch TV...for a change!

Where did the 7 questions come from? Original with you?

Always good to get my mind stirred by your postings.

Keep creating...with abandon,
Mike

Posted by: Mike Wagner | February 11, 2009 at 11:48 AM

Executive_Jobs

You're right. Everybody has ideas. I think fear is the main thing that sets the thinkers apart from the doers. Fear of speaking out, fear of acting, and ultimately fear of how others will see you.

Posted by: Executive_Jobs | February 12, 2009 at 07:43 AM

Janine McBee

Tom, wanted you to see reference to your blog - http://www.cugrow.com/cu_grow/2009/02/strategic-thinkingare-you-making-history.html

Appreciate your insightful and practical posts. I've been a loyal fan ever since "Sandbox Wisdom" and your presentation for our TechMecca Conference!

Posted by: Janine McBee | February 13, 2009 at 08:48 AM

The comments to this entry are closed.