Innovation by Necessity
- For years, one of the major drives for innovation is competition. In order for firms to remain relevant, they need to "keep up with the Jones'" as it were. Apple and its competitors are a prime example of this. Innovations such as the iPod, iPhone, and iPad forced other companies such as RIM, HP, etc. to push themselves harder in terms of innovation in order to keep up with the changing trends. For many entrepreneurs, its that "fight or flight" instinct that pushes them to the limits of their imagination and creativity in order to truly innovate and stay afloat in the industry.
Innovation ≠ Product
- Being innovative does not necessarily mean coming up with a new product or service to offer the community. One the reasons that companies such as Apple and Whirlpool mentioned in the article (as well as other companies like WestJet) have such high customer reviews is due to the customer service and customer experience that go hand in hand with the product. The reason people keep coming back to those businesses to offer their patronage is because they know that they will be treated as more than a name or a customer - they are treated as an owner, a partner, or member of a "club" so to speak. The consumer as well as the business know that their relationship goes beyond purchasing a product and walking out the door. Whether its training, technical support or what have you, the consumer knows that they will be looked after long after they have swiped their credit card.
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