Assumptions and biases seem to be hardwired within us. Assumptions and biases are based on our experiences and our understanding of the world around us. Thus, they can influence the way we perceive people, business, or technology. Or even worse. They can interfere with our company’s opportunities to thriving and reach new horizons of success.
Fear and Stagnation Suffocates Opportunities & Innovations
Back in 2018 while attending a mandatory class in Digital Business Management at Aalto University an eye-opening business analysis was conducted in regards to ” The rise and fall of Nokia Mobile Phones”. Still, not until starting getting more insights into neuroscience and cognitive psychology a deeper understanding of the reasons behind the rise and fall was envisioned.
Our brain is hardwired to literally save us from ending up as something in the food chain. Thus, a feeling of intimidation and concerns could be seen as pretty normal behavior when somebody dear to question our “day-to-day-normal”. Still, what if we evaluate the phenomenon “questioning status quo” from the evolution theory perspective? Now, We like to emphasize that we should thank all those souls who saw beyond and were brave to questioning that current status quo. Thanks to these people, we are today able to enjoy many things that were found “intimidating” rather than “normal” at the time of innovation.
In technology, we often call this phenomenon “innovation”. Thus, “whatif” putting the phenomenon “questioning ” in the business and strategy context? We believe the result would be deeper insight helping us to find “pain points” and finding ways to “growth”. Case Nokia has proven that people with the capabilities to see beyond, connecting the invisible dots, and re-innovating the status quo make a difference for business future success.
Now, reflecting the case of Nokia or the case of Konica Minolta, which is yet another classic example within Business Design/Development, we have seen too many companies being blinded by their current processes and well-established status quo where new opportunities are live as long as the text written in quicksand last.
Take care, stay well and how about opening our senses and embrace diversity,
Ann
Helsinki, 28 May 2021
