- Home
- Business School
- More on Difference
More on Difference
- By Weyinmi Jemide
- Published February 8th, 2010
- Business School
- Unrated
I continue the exploration of the relationship between the Creation Story and business strategy. I concluded last week’s article with the assertion that differentiation requires creativity. There are a few more aspects of this assertion which I want to highlight.
Different and Distinct
Differentiation is a leading parameter of successful strategy. Market leaders seek differentiation not similarity. The word “differentiation” expresses specialisation or distinction. The Wordweb Dictionary defines it as: “a discrimination between things as different and distinct.” Discrimination? That doesn’t usually send positive signals to our racial minds. However, in the context of business strategy, it is a positive thing. Distinction is also used synonymously with differentiation.
The Simple Stuff
Think about inventions that mankind has come up with throughout history. Recently, I was involved in a discussion about how simple yet distinct things can result in tremendous benefit. Good examples of simple and small components are zips, buttons, windscreen wipers and ballpoint pens. (One of the world’s richest men is a zip maker). Consider how many different buttons are produced and attached clothing items every day. As I write, I’m reminded of one more thing – that small, flexible and multi-purpose piece of rubber, the ubiquitous elastic band. You can try thinking about the variety of purposes to which the elastic band is applied!
Differentiation and Creation
Differentiation connects with the diversity of God’s creatures. Plants, animals, aquatic inhabitants, insects, birds and reptiles – what diversity! What about the numerous micro-organisms that the human eye cannot see without the aid of the microscope? The business world may never match such diversity even if products and services are multiplied daily. Still, it’s the diversity of products and services that enable capitalism and competition thrive.
The famous idiom “Variety is the spice of life” is strongly expressed in business strategy. The idiom itself expresses the idea that it is good to try different things and experiences. Business mimics creation’s diversity and keeps providing new products and services for consumer benefit. Customers respond with their never-ending demand for better value across industries. Difference thrives and creativity is frequently stretched.
The Heart of Strategy is Creativity
This is the next insight I want to explore. What is creativity without its origin in Creation? Creativity is the ability to create, to cause to come into existence. It refers to being imaginative or inventive – the very source of inventions and innovation. It covers in a broad sense both the act of creating and the results of creating. It involves both the researcher and the marketing director who highlights the need and translates the product to revenues.
Peter Drucker once said: “Any organisation, no matter how successful, that continues to do what made it successful in the past, will eventually fail.” These words suggest a direct relationship between creativity and corporate longevity. If you create new products and services, you remain in business. If you remain with old products and methods, you die! If you continue with your old factory lines or production pattern even if it has worked well in the past, you will eventually reap failure.
This thought also applies to competition between nations. What has led the rapid progress of the Asian countries? Did they prevent the Europeans and Americans from doing anything? No, they simply created more and at a faster rate than their Western counterparts. Malaysia, India, Singapore, Japan and China have constantly challenged existing models of national growth and made their industries more globally competitive.
Of course, they’ve applied ideas on competitive advantage – getting the best out of what you have. India’s population combined with information technology education gave that nation an edge as they remodeled. Out of their resources they have created global-impact industries in outsourcing and software. South Africa emerged from the apartheid era to become a continental leader across many fronts. During its years of isolation, it was compelled to look inwards for most of its needs. Now, the country is reaping a harvest through exports.
Toyota’s Debacle
Toyota Motors, one of Japan’s leaders in innovation and global presence is currently facing severe doubts about the quality of its products. A company noted for quality, which ascended with quality as a watchword now has a challenge of proving its quality.
Different and Distinct
Differentiation is a leading parameter of successful strategy. Market leaders seek differentiation not similarity. The word “differentiation” expresses specialisation or distinction. The Wordweb Dictionary defines it as: “a discrimination between things as different and distinct.” Discrimination? That doesn’t usually send positive signals to our racial minds. However, in the context of business strategy, it is a positive thing. Distinction is also used synonymously with differentiation.
The Simple Stuff
Think about inventions that mankind has come up with throughout history. Recently, I was involved in a discussion about how simple yet distinct things can result in tremendous benefit. Good examples of simple and small components are zips, buttons, windscreen wipers and ballpoint pens. (One of the world’s richest men is a zip maker). Consider how many different buttons are produced and attached clothing items every day. As I write, I’m reminded of one more thing – that small, flexible and multi-purpose piece of rubber, the ubiquitous elastic band. You can try thinking about the variety of purposes to which the elastic band is applied!
Differentiation and Creation
Differentiation connects with the diversity of God’s creatures. Plants, animals, aquatic inhabitants, insects, birds and reptiles – what diversity! What about the numerous micro-organisms that the human eye cannot see without the aid of the microscope? The business world may never match such diversity even if products and services are multiplied daily. Still, it’s the diversity of products and services that enable capitalism and competition thrive.
The famous idiom “Variety is the spice of life” is strongly expressed in business strategy. The idiom itself expresses the idea that it is good to try different things and experiences. Business mimics creation’s diversity and keeps providing new products and services for consumer benefit. Customers respond with their never-ending demand for better value across industries. Difference thrives and creativity is frequently stretched.
The Heart of Strategy is Creativity
This is the next insight I want to explore. What is creativity without its origin in Creation? Creativity is the ability to create, to cause to come into existence. It refers to being imaginative or inventive – the very source of inventions and innovation. It covers in a broad sense both the act of creating and the results of creating. It involves both the researcher and the marketing director who highlights the need and translates the product to revenues.
Peter Drucker once said: “Any organisation, no matter how successful, that continues to do what made it successful in the past, will eventually fail.” These words suggest a direct relationship between creativity and corporate longevity. If you create new products and services, you remain in business. If you remain with old products and methods, you die! If you continue with your old factory lines or production pattern even if it has worked well in the past, you will eventually reap failure.
This thought also applies to competition between nations. What has led the rapid progress of the Asian countries? Did they prevent the Europeans and Americans from doing anything? No, they simply created more and at a faster rate than their Western counterparts. Malaysia, India, Singapore, Japan and China have constantly challenged existing models of national growth and made their industries more globally competitive.
Of course, they’ve applied ideas on competitive advantage – getting the best out of what you have. India’s population combined with information technology education gave that nation an edge as they remodeled. Out of their resources they have created global-impact industries in outsourcing and software. South Africa emerged from the apartheid era to become a continental leader across many fronts. During its years of isolation, it was compelled to look inwards for most of its needs. Now, the country is reaping a harvest through exports.
Toyota’s Debacle
Toyota Motors, one of Japan’s leaders in innovation and global presence is currently facing severe doubts about the quality of its products. A company noted for quality, which ascended with quality as a watchword now has a challenge of proving its quality.
