Exponential Growth and Change, Led By Social Innovators

It may be different for others, but when I think of America as a brand I tend to associate the words "corporate" and "business" along with things like "freedom" and "liberty".  In my personal experience, I grew up with the negative connotation of "corporate", and pieces of that identification stick with me today. While doing this week's reading, I couldn't help but to recognize the larger-picture role that social innovators are playing.

It's assumed that they are inventing, designing, and implementing for the greater good.  However, every action has a reaction, and I am inspired to see an incidental reaction to social innovation.  It always starts with a need, and someone steps in to fill it.  Social innovators strive to do it cheaply, effectively, and on whatever scale they see fit.  Corporations generally are guided by their shareholders and the need for a profit.  Since social innovators came on the market, they drive down prices and corporations are expected to follow.  Basically they are acting as an accelerant for the curve that was previously guided by time.  No longer do we have to wait until large corporations see fit to release the next model, or use that green technology they actually have in their possession but will not use for fear of low returns.  Social Innovators solving issues that rank low on the 'hierarchy of need' have huge effects on corporations that had previously focused on needs met at the top of said hierarchy.  Thus the word "important" takes on multiple, and variable meanings.

The ripple-effect of this change also reaches into the realm of civic duty for corporations, as well as competitive hiring to try and stay on the forefront of change.  Multi-skilled and multi-talented people are now at the top of the desired hiring pool and the days of one-skill, one-job workers is over.  I believe that social innovation had something to do with that, for the idea of social innovation would never have worked without cross-disciplines working together, or people capitalizing on their various interests and skills.

Corporations are striving to align themselves with these types of people, as well as those in the community.  In a time of inspiration through innovation, corporations can no longer afford to have the "corporate" feel.  They need to be versatile, understand their role in the larger picture of society, and foster a community presence - whether their community is a suburb or the world.