It is an interesting time in history at the moment. We went through the age of the Industrial Revolution where machines made things faster and generated more end product but created much more pollution and waste.
Now we are experiencing a new revolution and this time it is people that are going to have to be smarter. The trend is not only Innovation and technology but also the environment and humanitarian issues which in fact is a driving force for innovation in many occasions. We are moving way from factories with monotonous lines of people doing menial work to having mechanical machines or robots replacing them. What does this mean for the millions of workers that will be out of jobs? I see a great divide here. It's funny I can meet a really smart person, chat and laugh with them but they don't perceive themselves to be anything but a footy player, a mum, etc. They choose not to see themselves in any other light and don't want to change because they are comfortable where they are. They don't realise that with social media and general life interactions that they are changing and becoming smarter and adapting everyday. We should always be learning new things, we should also consider learning new things that can contribute to new jobs.
We now have smart phones, smart cars and more to come, including more artificial intelligence. We have a small percentage of smart people paving the way for change. This is going to have to grow as new jobs are created. When we were young we could happily play using our imagination, creating and building. Some where along the line we have lost the ability to do this, to have wonderment at life and innovation. Can we really sit in front of the TV all night and watch reality TV all the time? I'm not saying don't watch it but not all the time. Spend some time with friends, nature, sport, a hobby. Be inquisitive, learn something online, create, write, enjoy. Find your passion. Through that be active and innovate. If you think the writing is on the wall for your job learn something new. Most of us will still have to put up with jobs we don't like and people that we don't like but instead of letting them affect you. You can create a new you change your attitude and it may rub off on the people around you or learn something new and get a new job. I can hear a few people say, 'I'm too old to learn something new. It's all too hard.'' I say, 'You are never too old..' 'Make a few small changes.' and never say, 'I can't.'
Innovation and technology, we are not all scientists, we don't have to know exactly how things work but we can appreciate the latest innovations and support the people that have come up with new ideas. As companies become global or seek to follow in the footsteps of leaders in that particular field we will be taking up this new technology and innovation faster than we have ever had to before. This scares people, the word Disruption is being used a lot. It was first coined by Harvard Professor Clay Christiansen. I find at the moment Disruption is being used a little too much and not for what it was intentionally coined for.
What 'Disruptive innovation means is,' described by a process by which product or service takes root initially in simple applications at the bottom of the market and then relentlessly moves up market, eventually displacing established companies.' So if we have an expensive product that for example is being used to make a smart phone screen and scientist come us with a metal that can do the same job 300 times cheaper than current screens, phone companies better take note because the new technology will quickly take over the old and companies that don't keep up will be too expensive and forced out of the market.
It is important to know what is going on in your own industry. If you want to be an industry leader then it is important to spend money and time in research and design. Don't forget what your business goal or mission is but be adaptable to trying new methods of delivery. Look at industry standards. Use them and adapt them to make them unique to the companies needs.
For consumers we generally aren't too concerned with what the technical blueprints are but we enjoy the benefits. Generally a new innovation or technology was made to make our lives easier or to entertain us, so that we purchase it and use it.
For the younger generation find joy in doing things that you are passionate about. Find motivated like minded company. Never stop learning.
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