An old friend used to write on his easel the words “Innovate, Emigrate or Evaporate.” It was his shorthand way of saying that to compete in a globalized market, innovation was essential. The other alternatives were to emigrate – to somewhere where innovation was welcomed, or to simply cease to exist – evaporate.
Surely there are no obstacles to innovation strong enough to subdue this proven path to success. Or are there? Do not underestimate the desire of human nature to maintain the status quo. It is this false feeling of security with the status quo – no change, and thus no innovation – that is so perilous. It lulls people into an unrealized, but potentially fatal downward spiral.