20 Phrases That Kill Innovation - BloggingInnovation.com describes Lock-in

All organizations must move into new markets with new customers buying new solutions.  It's inevitable.  Over time, all product markets shift to new solutions.  Given this inevitability, isn't it amazing how few make the shift?

BloggingInnovation.com published a GREAT article "20 Phrases That Kill Ideas and Innovation."  What I like is that we've all heard these 20!!!!  Here we go with “That’s a good idea, but…”

1. It’s against company policy
2. It’s not practical
3. It’s not necessary
4. We don’t have the resources
5. It will cost too much
6. We’ve never done it that way
7. Our customers (or vendors) won’t like it
8. It needs more study
9. It’s not part of your job
10. Let’s make a survey first
11. Let’s sit on it for a while
12. That’s not our problem
13. The boss won’t go for it
14. The old timers won’t use it
15. It’s too hard to administer
16. Why hasn’t someone else suggested it before?
17. Let’s form a committee
18. We should wait until the economy improves
19. Who else has tried it?
20. Is it best practice?

Really!  I bet you've heard all of these.  Defend & Extend Management becomes so embedded in the culture managers don't even realize they've turned off to new markets and fallen into focusing solely on trying to protect the old.  And as markets shift these phrases never go away - they just maintain Lock-in!

The next time somebody brings you an idea - an innovation - I want you to gauge your reaction.  Before you speak, see if your mind brings you one of these 20.  If so, you're more dedicated to Lock-in than growth.  You're stuck in D&E Management.  And that means you need a healthy dose of The Phoenix Principle.  Time to do some scenario planning, dig deeply into competitors, Disrupt those Lock-ins and set up a White Space team to explore new opportunities!  Overcome these objections before they stop you - cold!

Comments

[Catherine Adenle]

This is an interesting list. It is important for the shift to happen sooner rather than later as all product markets are rapidly shifting into new solutions. The record breaking standards of before are the qualifying standards of today. Your competitors are the ones you don't know and the ones that will surprise you the most, challenge your product and take over your clients and market. Consumers habit is changing with the advent of social media, they now have an influence that can change the way you normally do business so it is not business as usual anymore. As a company, if you want innovation to thrive, you better quit making excuses and make a change.

[Gmonne]

Great compilation. Looking into ideas on how defeat the Status Quo and your post has been very helpful

[Ousmane Ba]

How about "Only do one thing"
this in the era of integration and synergy is the worst one i have seen