Innovation Execution

There are so many incredible innovations that are improving lives in the developing world. Many of the innovations presented in the reading could even be used in the developed world, but why aren’t they? Joshua Silver’s simple adjustable eyewear seems to be the ideal alternative to today’s expensive options, and yet they are being marketed solely for the developing world. Yes it is important to recognize the differences in markets and available resources between the developing and developed worlds, but why separate them so starkly? It seems like the developed world could benefit from less expensive eyewear. This eyewear could be sold for more in the developed world, which would probably more than cover the cost of eyewear for the developing world.

Now this comes with its own problems. Often times these innovations are developed with good intentions, but when people have no personal investment in or an ability to repair an innovation it often falls into disrepair. It’s essential to develop distribution methods that emphasize the importance of ownership.

All in all innovating for the developing world is important, but would be more effective by addressing the lifecycle of the innovation. A design thinking method could be employed here to understand how the innovation would be used and at what point a sense of ownership ceases or the innovation requires maintenance. There is so much potential in what has been developed and what will be developed. Execution is the final piece.