LEAPFROGGING: HAS BUSINESS BECOME TOO LAZY TO
INNOVATE?
INNOVATE?
This glimpse
of the future was crafted by: Abbas Jamie
of the future was crafted by: Abbas Jamie
The concept of ‘leapfrogging’ – or the idea
that by embracing modern systems, poorly developed areas can develop rapidly
without the need to go through intermediary steps – has captured imaginations.
With leapfrogging, new ways of thinking rapidly lead to new ways of doing and
being – and new
ways of competing. We know that we can apply new technology to less
developed regions with great success. But what of the opposite? If
innovation trickles down, can it also trickle up? While developing
countries may be prime candidates for leapfrogging technologies they are also
rich potential sources for reverse innovation.
that by embracing modern systems, poorly developed areas can develop rapidly
without the need to go through intermediary steps – has captured imaginations.
With leapfrogging, new ways of thinking rapidly lead to new ways of doing and
being – and new
ways of competing. We know that we can apply new technology to less
developed regions with great success. But what of the opposite? If
innovation trickles down, can it also trickle up? While developing
countries may be prime candidates for leapfrogging technologies they are also
rich potential sources for reverse innovation.
The massive
successes of mobile networks in Africa transformed one of the world’s
least connected places into the epicentre of a communications earthquake. This
‘leapfrog’ overcame problems such as “no line infrastructure!”, “limited
electricity networks!”, and “a population mostly without bank accounts!” How?
Quite quickly, beyond all original forecasts, with cheap handsets, mobile base
stations and unique prepayment packages.
successes of mobile networks in Africa transformed one of the world’s
least connected places into the epicentre of a communications earthquake. This
‘leapfrog’ overcame problems such as “no line infrastructure!”, “limited
electricity networks!”, and “a population mostly without bank accounts!” How?
Quite quickly, beyond all original forecasts, with cheap handsets, mobile base
stations and unique prepayment packages.
When we think about leapfrogging, we often
think about superimposing a cutting-edge technology on a market that is
underdeveloped. Leapfrogging leads to solutions that can allow you to completely
overtake your competition, despite the fact that they are better established,
with bigger infrastructure and
more resources.
But does leapfrogging only work in one direction?
think about superimposing a cutting-edge technology on a market that is
underdeveloped. Leapfrogging leads to solutions that can allow you to completely
overtake your competition, despite the fact that they are better established,
with bigger infrastructure and
more resources.
But does leapfrogging only work in one direction?
Leap in reverse
In Africa adversity is a powerful driver of
innovation. When you absolutely have to; when you have no other
option; when your back is up against the wall – then true innovation comes
to the fore. This is often referred to as ‘survival’ in developing nations, but
is there a lesson in this for developed nations?
innovation. When you absolutely have to; when you have no other
option; when your back is up against the wall – then true innovation comes
to the fore. This is often referred to as ‘survival’ in developing nations, but
is there a lesson in this for developed nations?
Will alternative
energy solutions, specifically on the African continent, become a major disruptor?
In the not too distant future, we could see people across the African continent
plugging in their electric vehicles to power their green homes. Combining solar
energy with electric power from vehicles, houses could be completely off
grid. Each house would produce its own energy which could be transferred across
town by an electric vehicle. Can you imagine the apps that could be dreamt up
on the back of this scenario? This in turn will impact on how their cities plan
for energy generation in the future – in the absence of the massive energy
infrastructure presently powering developed cities across the world.
energy solutions, specifically on the African continent, become a major disruptor?
In the not too distant future, we could see people across the African continent
plugging in their electric vehicles to power their green homes. Combining solar
energy with electric power from vehicles, houses could be completely off
grid. Each house would produce its own energy which could be transferred across
town by an electric vehicle. Can you imagine the apps that could be dreamt up
on the back of this scenario? This in turn will impact on how their cities plan
for energy generation in the future – in the absence of the massive energy
infrastructure presently powering developed cities across the world.
Cities in the developing world will be
looking to the ‘new
cities’ to see how to transform their existing centralised energy
generation model to catch up with the developing world. Technology
and innovation companies in the developing world will be playing a major role
in these new futures.
looking to the ‘new
cities’ to see how to transform their existing centralised energy
generation model to catch up with the developing world. Technology
and innovation companies in the developing world will be playing a major role
in these new futures.
There is a saying in Africa: “It is not
the big that eat the small; it is the fast who eat the slow!” Should
corporations and political leaders alike recreate the conditions of adversity
to hasten innovation? Should businesses use this as a corporate strategy – i.e.
ask its workforce in developing countries to find disruptors?
the big that eat the small; it is the fast who eat the slow!” Should
corporations and political leaders alike recreate the conditions of adversity
to hasten innovation? Should businesses use this as a corporate strategy – i.e.
ask its workforce in developing countries to find disruptors?
Perhaps we should be looking to the shanty
towns for the next design innovators? If we apply this kind of innovation
to developed economies, reverse innovation may just have the power to disrupt
even our most innovative competition.
towns for the next design innovators? If we apply this kind of innovation
to developed economies, reverse innovation may just have the power to disrupt
even our most innovative competition.
(Aurecon
has launched a new futuristic blog! Called Just Imagine, it
provides a glimpse into the future for curious readers, exploring ideas that
are probable, possible and for the imagination. This post originally appeared on Aurecon’s Just Imagine blog. Get access to the latest blog posts as soon as they
are published by subscribing
to the blog.)
has launched a new futuristic blog! Called Just Imagine, it
provides a glimpse into the future for curious readers, exploring ideas that
are probable, possible and for the imagination. This post originally appeared on Aurecon’s Just Imagine blog. Get access to the latest blog posts as soon as they
are published by subscribing
to the blog.)
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