Innovation is NOT the key to success

I recently read an article that really resonated with me. The article, entitled Three Obstacles to Innovation Diffusion, really puts into simple terms the concept that the time invested in taking an innovative idea from concept to fruition is really what differentiates the true entrepreneur from the wannabe.

How many times have you heard someone speak about a new product or concept and say that they had thought of it before? If I had a pound for every time I heard someone say that, as my grandfather always said, I'd be rolling in pounds.

The more I think about it, the more I think that almost anyone can innovate or come up with a good idea. The true test for success though is whether that person or company is prepared to invest the time to take that concept from an idea to a reality.

Looking at the diagram below, taken from the article mentioned above by +Tim Kastelle, you can see that he beautifully illustrates in one simple picture what the difference is between success and failure for most innovators.

Using this simple diagram, he explains that often ideas take longer than expected to spread. It takes time for people to hear about them, and then more time for the concepts to resonate with people. Until this happens, there is no way that they will be adopted or used - you have to break through the bottom or flat line of the S-curve before you can succeed.

Using this hypothesis, I would say that I have the basis for a new book - Innovation is NOT the Key to Success. As this blog is most likely to be the opening chapter of the book if I can find the courage to take the time to write it, it would be great if you could comment so I can use those comments in my new book!

So here is my main thought! 

"For entrepreneurs, the true difference between success and failure is the commitment and time dedicated to a concept to take it from an idea to reality."

Looking back over my career, I can definitely say that from a personal perspective, the difference between me and my competitors during my periods of success has been my willingness to sacrifice my personal and valuable time, time I could spend doing other things, to driving, visualizing, evangelizing and selling my ideas to others. 

In other words, whenever I have succeeded, my successes have had less to do with my ability to innovate (which of course is still required) and more to do with this commitment in time.

More to follow soon. Let me have your thoughts if you get a chance - I would love to have some feedback on these thoughts before I go further with my thoughts.