The Crucible – Solve for X
July 2019
We participate in a constantly evolving world, with problems that emerge alongside it. Innovation must be purposefully directed to develop better solutions, mechanisms, processes, skills, and economies in order to embrace diversity and channel this constant change for the greater good.”
– Edward Jung, Founder & CEO at Xinova
Disruption is 2020. But disruptive leaders know there’s no better time than 2019 to work on the next idea. We’ve talked about failure, and sometimes the only thing separating failure from disruption is timing –today’s Newton could be tomorrow’s tablet. Hindsight truly is 20/20 when it comes to labeling a crazy idea as disruptive!
Fun fact: the idea of disruptive innovation and creative destruction evolves from, of all places, Karl Marx talking about herdsmen. From Marx, Schumpeter evolved and analyzed the railroadization of the Middle West disrupting the agricultural West – and subsequently truck-based transportation disrupting all forms of agriculture, something he described as “This process of Creative Destruction is the essential fact about capitalism.” Eventually, Clayton Christiensen brought these ideas together in analyzing adoptions of technology at a faster and faster pace in pieces on disruptive innovation starting with Catching the Wave.
Twenty-five years later and back to the herdsmen, I point to two pieces by my colleagues analyzing the artificial protein market and construction, respectively. Both areas are undergoing disruption by different forces. Both pieces are meant to provoke thought. Perhaps they’ll be disruptive. We’re interested in your disruptions and your disruptive thoughts, too: get paid to Write for Xinova.
Edward Jung founded Xinova upon the stated principle that innovation should be channeled towards creating a more perfect world. That’s disruption we can all get behind. I and my colleagues have long been inspired by the audacity and poetry of that vision as expressed in The Innovator Manifesto. For many, this will be the first time you’ve seen it. Enjoy!
–Brad Roberts
Global Head of Network Platform
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Xinova Updates
Is it possible to disrupt a cow?
“Technology can save the climate, but we will have to think beyond the bun.”
Managing Director of our Innovation Services Group, Seth Miller, says that while targeting the cow for disruption seems easier than transforming eating, it may be that Silicon Valley is not thinking big enough.
The Innovator Manifesto
“We aim to cultivate a society where problems aren’t avoided but embraced. Where curiosities are nurtured and collaboration is championed. Where purpose and profit are aligned.”Have you read The Innovator Manifesto? CEO, Edward Jung authored an inspiring vision for a future populated by innovators from all walks of life who are committed to channeling innovation to create a better world. This bold set of principles is meant to unite people and organizations to maintain a healthy world for generations to come.
Construction Executive – Xinova’s Kelly Romano Addresses Challenges Facing the Industry
The future of work will make the future work for innovators in a post-gig-economy populated by a globally distributed network of experts engaging in complex, long-term innovation projects.
How Innovators can overcome the fear of sharing (VIDEO)
At the IRI Annual Conference, we spoke with Dr. Anita Sommer, Senior Innovation Manager at LEGO. She shared how her team has overcome the fear of sharing their ideas.
Featured Innovator
Meet Sen. Chris Rothfuss
Why Sen. Chris Rothfuss joined the fight against malaria
“I thoroughly enjoy collaborative invention and problem-solving–this particular project is exciting because success means improving and preserving lives,”
-Sen. Chris Rothfuss, PhD,
WY Senate Minority Leader and Xinova Innovator.
Xinova in the news
Geekwire – Inside a ‘rapid innovation session’ as The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Xinova fight malaria with tech
You may recall the opportunity that went out a few months ago, “Defeating Malaria with Data”. Xinova invited GeekWire to sit in on part of the two-day session. Introducing the rapid innovation session to bring together “innovators” with different backgrounds.