New Knowledge from Outside Into a System

[WMack <WMack@PEC.com>]

> -------------------- Begin Original Message --------------------
> "I retreated from that position,
> recognizing that innovations seldom come from customers."
> -------------------- End Original Message --------------------
> 
> While the above is probably generally true,   ....           
> ============================================
I think the problem here is a semantics issue.  Although it is
true that a company's customers will rarely ever be able to 
enunciate a specific problem and innovative solutions, if you
study and become knowledgeable in the customer's system,
you will find plenty of innovations.  If, however, you develop
innovation while isolated from your customer and his systems,
you will end up with an innovation without customers.  You
simply must understand what your customers do in order to
provide goods or services which help them do it.

Wayne Mack
wmack@pec.com
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