Often, the path towards innovation looks like this; a novel idea is conceived or embraced. The processes within organizations are adapted to facilitate this novel idea, and finally, the novel idea gets executed.

Sometimes, oddly, itâ€s the other way around. Sometimes, a particular way of working shifts automatically due to market demand. The procedures are adopted upon realizing that the current processes in place donâ€t foster the new way of working. Until finally, the novel idea manifests itself in a crystal clear manner.

For example, the way we used to hire people largely depended on a job description. Many companies hiring people for themselves — or intermediaries such as recruiting agencies hiring people for other companies — are now somewhat forced to move away from the classic job description. Why? The chances youâ€ll find other purple squirrels (white ravens) in times of labor market scarcity — let alone keep them — are zero to none. Especially starting from the job description that the purple squirrel is currently fulfilling. As it turns out, they often combine multiple jobs. Should we then create a new job description that combines multiple jobs?

Looking at required skills (both hard skills and soft skills) instead of sticking to relatively static job descriptions might prove to be a solution. The downside, though, is that if the purple squirrel were to be replaced, or the capacity should be increased, one purple squirrel might add up to two or more purple squirrels.

Due to labor market scarcity, the skills-based approach is currently being embraced, albeit ad hoc. Now itâ€s time for companies to adopt the processes that should go along with skills-based hiring so that the ideology can ultimately thrive.

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We evolve quickly. People have started noticing their hands changing. Their pinky fingers now have “dents” to support their devices. Darwinâ€s finches took two million years. We only took fifteen.

HR is hard. Today’s people insights are obsolete tomorrow. Never stop learning and become skeptical of innovation.

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When the iPhone first came out, Microsoft claimed that people would never consider buying a phone without buttons… Take NFT’s, for instance. Some people are quick to dismiss the technology altogether, making fun of it in the process. An estimated 70% of the world’s population doesn’t have an enforceable claim to the land they own. For the use case of demonstrating ownership alone, there is a lot of intrinsic value in the technology driving NFT’s.

HR managers are no different. Often reluctant to embrace innovative technology. After all, it’s a people business, so people will know best, right? Regardless, there is a tremendous opportunity to have technological support.

Be wise, don’t ridicule.

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Every artistic endeavor starts the same. You hear some music, read a poem, watch a painting or a sculpture and say to yourself, that’s amazing, how can I make something like that.

The second stage is emulation. You are still heavily influenced by the works that inspire you. However, now you try to blend in some personal touches.

The third stage is innovation. This final stage is where you define who you are. You completely master the craft and subsequently have made it yours.

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Innovation is restoring trust. Disruption is shifting towards that new trust. That’s what Philipp Kristian told me yesterday in a wildly interesting conversation.

Innovative companies that will prevail will be the most trustworthy ones.

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Looking at technology, the time between invention and commercial success often spans numerous decades. Revolutions, invoked by television, telephone, the internet… took twenty to thirty years to catch on.

The above quote wasn’t quite finished. Bill Gates went on by saying, “don’t let yourself be lulled into inaction.”

There is time. Embrace new technology calmly and craft a strategy around it to execute meticulously.

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To do business in a particular society means to have a profound, empathic understanding of how that society works. Or does it?

Setting up a bakery in some parts of the world, and closing down on Sunday morning, is probably a bad idea. In other parts of the world, closing down a bakery on Friday or Saturday morning would be a terrible idea.

What’s true of established business models isn’t necessarily true for novel business models.

To go where no business has gone before means throwing off the shackles. Nothing but bold moves, defying (societal) conventions every step of the way.

Standing out doesn’t happen by blending in.

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On the other hand, a tried and true business model can definitely be optimized for success prior to launching. With enough insight into the market, the circumstances can be molded for success. It’s not easy, requires much hard work, but it’s possible.

When engaging in an entirely new business model, optimize your plans for not failing instead of success.

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While part of your thrill-seeking customers may have joined in search of something new, part of your customers may remain on board because they have gotten used to your brand.

Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. While innovating, make sure to keep what works.

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Notorious quotes such as: “people will never accept a mobile phone without buttons” haven’t aged well.

Business owners should never ridicule a competitor over innovation. Furthermore, business owners should ask themselves: which innovation can potentially bankrupt my company?

Sometimes it’s as if we’re looking at archeology take place right in front of our eyes.

A couple of years ago, there were barely any kick-scooters in cities. Today, cities are developing dedicated parking spots.

What seems normal today may seem archaic tomorrow. That’s how fast the world is moving.

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