Recently, the “BUZZ” in business literature has been about
innovation. However, just as important is innovation for each of us
individually. It is not only companies that must innovate, but also individuals
must innovate. Here are two reasons:
We are living in changing times. We now compete globally
even at an individual level. This is a dramatic departure from eras when only
countries and companies were competitors on the global stage. If individuals
must now compete globally, then individuals, like countries and companies, must
innovate to succeed. Individuals who do not innovate suffer the same fate of companies
who don’t innovate: they will be left behind by competition that consistently
renews itself.
We must all differentiate ourselves to avoid
commoditization. Up until recently, we may have felt “safe and secure” because
very few people in our environment had the same skill set. Now, individuals
with the same skill set may be hundreds or thousands of miles away. Skills and
knowledge can be transferred from all over the world rapidly and easily. This
means that we all face the danger of our skill becoming a commodity. People
around the world with the same skill set as you are suddenly within easy reach.
No matter how far they are, they are actually only seconds away. They can very
easily be selected to do your job, especially if they are cheaper than you.
If all this sounds scary, look at it in a different way:
instead of only your immediate environment, the world is an opportunity – and what
a great opportunity! But the ingredient you need to success is differentiation.
What’s so special about you that other people don’t have?
What makes you different from the others?
To answer these questions we have no choice but to innovate.
