You might not know Vesta Stoudt, however you positively know what she invented—duct tape. Her story holds a lesson for us at present.
In 1943, Stoudt was inspecting ammunition bins at a WWII manufacturing facility when she seen an issue. The paper tape and wax seals made the bins laborious to open, particularly in moist or pressing fight situations. She proposed a water-resistant, cloth-based tape as an alternative.
And her supervisors stated…“Not .”
So Stoudt did one thing extraordinary: she wrote on to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Extremely, he learn her letter, favored the thought, and handed it to the Warfare Manufacturing Board. Duct tape was born.
This text is a part of Branding Technique Insider’s e-newsletter. You possibly can join right here to get thought items like this despatched to your inbox.
The lesson? Frontline employees usually see issues (and options) that leaders miss. However recognizing good concepts isn’t sufficient. Organizations want mechanisms that floor, help, and amplify them.
Suggestion bins are likely to ship a flood of small, incremental concepts—and fade quick. However when structured proper, innovation applications can uncover breakthroughs.
At Bayer, as an illustration, cross-functional groups type round worker concepts. They safe government sponsors, get knowledgeable teaching, and compete for funding and time to convey their ideas to life. Many concepts would have vanished with out this method.
The innovator’s most necessary ability isn’t creativity. IT’S LISTENING.
Contributed to Branding Technique Insider by Steve Wunker, Writer of JOBS TO BE DONE: A Roadmap for Buyer-Centered Innovation
The Blake Undertaking Can Assist You Create A Brighter Aggressive Future In The Jobs To Be Accomplished Workshop
Branding Technique Insider is a service of The Blake Undertaking: A strategic model consultancy specializing in Model Analysis, Model Technique, Model Development and Model Training
FREE Publications And Sources For Entrepreneurs
Publish Views: 21