An innovation is a new answer to an old question.
A paradigm shift is a new question, and thereby a new answer.
When the first iPhone came out we were all absolutely blown away. I had a friend named Josh who was really into ‘all that stuff’ (most people weren’t back then) and he had watched the keynote…so he informed me that we were all about to experience a miracle. He was right.
See…the first iPhone was a paradigm shift. It was asking a new question which was: What is a phone?
Subsequent phones were ‘merely’ innovations (new answer to an old question): How do we make the phone better?
That’s why our eyes haven’t lit up like they did the first time.
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Another good example is Starbucks (tip of the hat to Purple Cow for reminding me of this…go read that book)…
I grew up in a very small town in Minnesota through the 90’s and early 00’s. Coffee was for the grown ups at church and the farmers who bought it at one of three gas stations in town.
After I graduated high school and moved to Nashville, one of the first nights I was in town a new friend asked if I wanted to go to a coffee shop.
A what?
I agreed to go, but I had a lot of questions.
What do we do here? We just sit? Do I like coffee? How long do we sit here? Am I going to get in trouble for drinking coffee since I’m not a grown up or a farmer? Why are we still just sitting here?
Starbucks was a paradigm shift for asking the new question: What is a cup of coffee?
Now I get it. I love the new definition and utilize it every day of my life.
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Paradigm shifts and innovation are both crucial.
There are countless high achieving, well respected, remarkable businesses that are built on each. And different products within those businesses that may be a result of one or the other. (i.e. The iPod was an innovation…how can we put songs in your pocket easier and cooler than the other guys?)
The simple idea is this: be very clear with yourself and with your team about which one you’re going after, and then plan and serve accordingly.
Here are a few examples in music:
Paradigm shift: Napster- What is song ownership?
Innovation: Spotify- How do we make streaming fun, easy and legal?
Paradigm shift: The Beatles- What is a band?
Innovation: Bon Jovi- How can we be a worldwide stadium band?
Paradigm shift: Bob Dylan- What can be said through pop music?
Innovation: Chance The Rapper- What needs to be said right now in pop music?
Paradigm shift: 1967- What is a music festival?
Innovation: All the other festivals- How do we make it feel more like 1967?
Paradigm shift: Spotify- What is a Chart? What is a popular song?
Innovation: TBD
Paradigm shift: new question, new answer
Innovation: old question, new answer
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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com