DB Results Thailand Logo white
  • What We Do
    • Our Digital Services
      • Advisory and Technology Services
      • Application Development Services
      • Application Management Services
      • Digital Business and Transformation Services
      • Data Management Services
      • Cloud Services
      • Cybersecurity Advisory Services
    • Our Digital Products
      • OutSystems – Rapid Development Platform for Mobile and Web Applications
      • AgileBlue Advanced Cybersecurity
      • MiOK
      • Wellness+
      • Self Service Portal
    • Technology Simplified
  • Who We Are
    • Who We Are
    • Our People
    • Careers
      • Working At DB
      • Jobs at DB Results Thailand
    • Our Partners
  • Celebrating Success
  • In Action
    • In Action
    • Media / News
    • DB Thinking
    • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Global
  • Contact Us
DB Results Thailand Logo white
  • What We Do
    • Our Digital Services
      • Advisory and Technology Services
      • Application Development Services
      • Application Management Services
      • Digital Business and Transformation Services
      • Data Management Services
      • Cloud Services
      • Cybersecurity Advisory Services
    • Our Digital Products
      • OutSystems – Rapid Development Platform for Mobile and Web Applications
      • AgileBlue Advanced Cybersecurity
      • MiOK
      • Wellness+
      • Self Service Portal
    • Technology Simplified
  • Who We Are
    • Who We Are
    • Our People
    • Careers
      • Working At DB
      • Jobs at DB Results Thailand
    • Our Partners
  • Celebrating Success
  • In Action
    • In Action
    • Media / News
    • DB Thinking
    • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Global
  • Contact Us
DB Results Thailand
  • What We Do
    • Our Digital Services
      • Advisory and Technology Services
      • Application Development Services
      • Application Management Services
      • Digital Business and Transformation Services
      • Data Management Services
      • Cloud Services
      • Cybersecurity Advisory Services
    • Our Digital Products
      • OutSystems – Rapid Development Platform for Mobile and Web Applications
      • AgileBlue Advanced Cybersecurity
      • MiOK
      • Wellness+
      • Self Service Portal
    • Technology Simplified
  • Who We Are
    • Who We Are
    • Our People
    • Careers
      • Working At DB
      • Jobs at DB Results Thailand
    • Our Partners
  • Celebrating Success
  • In Action
    • In Action
    • Media / News
    • DB Thinking
    • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Global
  • Contact Us

Innovation reverberations

Loading...

Bart Dixon

Lead Consultant

Published

  • April 14, 2017

Share This

It is not easy to predict where ideas will lead to and their social consequences (good or bad), but that should not stop us trying.

One of the most thought provoking documentaries I have seen in recent times, of which the concept has stuck with me, is a series called How We Got to Now. The host, Steven Johnson, presents six ordinary things that we live with every day and illustrates the way that they have altered and influenced society. Steven traces historical events and the way we live today through the evolution of these things. For example, Ronald Reagan may never have been President of the United States had it not been for air conditioning. Air conditioning allowed a huge number of people to migrate to the middle states of the USA where existing living conditions were unbearable. This in turn altered the balance of college electoral vote in Regan’s favour. Air conditioning in turn came about because a printing firm was having difficulty with its printing inks bleeding in the humidity. The dehumidifier that the engineer invented made the room more comfortable to be in, so the staff chose to eat their lunch in there. And so, an unexpected need beyond his initial innovation was identified by Willis Carrier, the inventor.

In another episode, Steven discusses the evolution of being clean and particularly clean drinking water. Cholera was identified as being a waterborne killer disease, but no one knew how to remove it from the water until a doctor applied a clothes whitening product to water. Dr John Leal experimented in ways of killing bacteria and eventually found using chlorine bleach was the solution. In the end the process was applied worldwide to provide safe drinking water. The community spin off from clean water is the swimming pool and all the related sports, activities, theme parks, backyard pools and associated toys and gear... big business.

I find these connections between ordinary things or simple discoveries which lead to world-changing events rather fascinating, and there are plenty more examples out there. Certainly you might say that someone would make these discoveries or inventions eventually, but there are many factors at play. Firstly, there is the need or the problem. Secondly, there are the enablers to let it happen, such as the electricity for air conditioning. The enablers may come a long time after the need. Thirdly, there is the enquiring mind, always questioning or tinkering. Not all innovations come from field experts and not all innovations come from eureka moments. Sometimes they come from the slow burn of an idea.

It is natural to ask (and to borrow a line from an advertisement), “where to next?” It is not easy to predict where ideas will lead to and their social consequences (good or bad), but that should not stop us trying. New ideas are happening all around us, creating and evolving the enablers. Innovation, then, is the process that comes from using those enablers to improve the life of others. Sharing ideas, continually asking questions and challenging the norm is key to identifying those potential innovative opportunities, and looking back at inspirational and influential events is certainly a motivator.

You may also like
Loading...

LCAP what’s the hype?

Low Code Application Platforms and the future of business agility.   Gartner Hype Curve for Cloud Platform Services, 2022 The recent (July 2022) Gartner Hype...

Continue Reading

September 14, 2022

Speed-to-Team: How traditional recruitment doesn’t work anymore

The need to be fast, agile, and ahead of the curve servicing customers is a business imperative, not just a nice idea. This tipping point...

Continue Reading

July 22, 2022
Youtube Twitter Linkedin-in

Let’s talk!

Youtube Twitter Linkedin-in
Contact us

© 2023 DB Results. All rights reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Locations
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by CookieYes Logo