The Future of Innovation: Combining Invention and Commercialization

The Future of Innovation: Combining Invention and Commercialization

In a TED Talk titled "Larry Page: Where's Google going next?", Larry Page discusses the concept of additionality and its importance in making a meaningful impact. Additionality refers to doing something that wouldn't happen unless you were actually doing it. Page believes that the more you can do things like that, the bigger impact you have. He emphasizes the need to do things that people might not think are possible, pushing the boundaries of what technology can achieve.

Page recognizes the significance of both invention and innovation. He mentions how Tesla invented electric power, but struggled to get it out to people. Invention alone is not enough; it needs to be combined with the ability to commercialize and make it accessible to the masses. Companies that focus solely on incremental change, rather than revolutionary change, are unlikely to succeed in the long run. Page stresses the importance of constantly looking towards the future and driving the organization to focus on creating that future at a high rate.

This idea of looking towards the future and driving innovation is not limited to technology companies. In an article titled "友達とカレンダーを共有して遊ぶFRYDAYS📆がすごい!!｜石ころ｜note" (translated as "FRYDAYS: Sharing Calendars with Friends and Having Fun"), the author discusses the potential of communication-based social networking platforms. These platforms have the ability to give rise to entirely new products based on the conversations they facilitate. For example, Zenly allows users to share their location, FRYDAYS enables sharing of schedules, and Filmarks allows users to share movie reviews. There are even platforms like Cuzira that focus on sharing music. The more frequent and diverse the sharing options, the better the compatibility with the social aspect of these platforms.

What is particularly interesting is the idea of transforming a "tool" like a calendar into a "toy" for young people. Looking back at successful products, this shift in perspective from a tool to a toy makes sense. The history of social networking platforms started with the sharing of past events and has evolved into a real-time, synchronized experience.

Connecting the dots between Larry Page's talk and the article on FRYDAYS, we can see a common theme of pushing boundaries and looking towards the future. Both emphasize the need for revolutionary change and doing things that others might not think are possible.

So, how can we apply these insights in our own lives? Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Embrace additionality: Look for opportunities to do things that wouldn't happen unless you were doing them. Push the limits of what is possible and strive to make a meaningful impact.

2. Combine invention and commercialization: Don't stop at just inventing something; find a way to make it accessible to people. Combine innovation and invention to drive revolutionary change in your field.

3. Focus on the future: Constantly look towards the future and be proactive in driving innovation. Don't be afraid to take risks and work on things that others might not be focusing on. This is where the true potential for additionality lies.

In conclusion, the future of innovation lies in combining invention and commercialization, pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and constantly looking towards the future. By embracing additionality and focusing on revolutionary change, we can make a meaningful impact and drive progress in our respective fields. So, let's strive to be the pioneers who shape the future.