What innovation haters can learn from the inauguration

January 20, 2009 | Written by

(via brixton on flickr)

A colleague of mine at a notable advertising agency recently lamented to me that his boss is overly reluctant in using new communications tools like Twitter and even Facebook for their campaigns. In other words, his boss is an innovation hater.

You know the type.

It’s that roommate who was the last person in the world to get a cell phone. It’s your friend who still isn’t on Facebook and shudders at the thought of commenting on a blog. It’s your Lithuanian grandmother, whose greatest technological achievement is preserving rhubarb in bell jars (and we’re all grateful for that).

This all reminded me how important it is to be open to innovation and change. As Obama said today during his inauguration speech, "the world has changed, and we must change with it." He went on:

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted – for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things – some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

From a digital business perspective, these risk-takers are the ones who are staying on the cutting edge. They will ensure that business’ transition to digital will propel our economy moving forward.

Have you done anything innovative lately?