I never thought about it until something I helped innovate was copied. It was an odd feeling. Still is. Intrigue, anger, confusion, jealousy, smugness, concern, passion – I felt all of these.
My team and I worked hard to innovate a niche product. I found out a few weeks ago another company was working on something very similar. I wish someone had prepared me for this experience. It’s not something anyone really talks about when they discuss “innovation.” But it happens. It is the natural cycle of a product. The innovator creates, everyone learns from the innovator’s mistakes, and then everyone copies the innovation trying to make it “bigger and better.” The more I think about this situation, the more I think about a past read, Different.
After my initial shock, I was actually humbled to hear an organization much bigger than my own team was eyeing our work. I am confident my team will continue to innovate. They’re just that good. (That’s not me being prideful. That’s the truth I’ve come to know well.) And more companies will notice our work and want to use a concept for their own. I need to become more comfortable with this thought, thus the reason I am blogging about it.
Has anyone else experienced this? How do you handle it – a brief thought of it and then carry on with the work or cause?
Trudy
January 22, 2011 9:28 pmI had a chat with my bestie who studied business. She pointed out that copying in the innovative process is common and perhaps the best way to go about business for those who are not both original and innovative. Look at the companies who stand around waiting to see what Apple does next in order to copy. Their profit margins will be high as well. I get this from a business point of view.
From an art point of view, it turns my stomach and makes me feel vile. As a photographer and writer, there is nothing that disgusts me more than blatant copying. I rather be terrible and original than a copycat.
Herein lies the difference between business and art. So what happens when they meet? Apple is just as much artistic innovation as it is business innovation. I wonder what it must be like for the little guy who works at a company sitting around waiting to see what Apple does next. I cannot imagine if one has an adventurous and innovative spirit that this could be pleasing at the microcosmic level. At the macrocosmic level, those companies will rake in dough basically simulating anything Apple does. Funny thing that is.
Great post…good for thought. I like how you turned a situation that feels uncomfortable into something positive.
nursetopia
January 22, 2011 10:42 pmI’m right there with you, Trudy. I can’t imagine waiting for the next big thing. Why, when you can actually do and be the next big thing?