Innovation is not just a ‘trend’ or a passing business phase but a vital necessity for survival.
What is the safest way to be carried away by the river and end up on the rocks? To try to remain upright, immovable, with your feet planted firmly, in the flow of the river.
Anyone who wants to reach the opposite shore, to chart their own course in a raging river, must dare.
Sometimes, they must go with the flow, and others, they must harness its force.
The river represents the rapid developments in the modern business environment. Our navigator – our ability to move within the river – is innovation.
Innovation is not just another business “trend” that we must follow.
It is a mindset that we must adopt in our daily business lives. Without innovation, no matter how large we are, it is only a matter of time before the developments surpass us. Stagnation is the enemy of progress.
There are countless examples of companies that ignored progress and met the fate of the dinosaurs – even though they were, proportionally, giants in the global business world. Who doesn’t remember the Finnish giant in mobile phones that was overtaken in no time when the market introduced smartphones?
Who forgets the monopoly of the historic photography company that started in 1888 and stubbornly insisted on film, while their Japanese competitors launched the digital camera?
Any company that rested on its laurels, on its size, and failed to venture beyond the perceived safety zone, followed a declining path.
Trends and market signals are changing at a rapid pace. And we, together, as we have achieved so many victories until now, must continue to read the developments. We must strengthen our corporate identity and our imprint on society. Because the challenges are many now—geopolitical, economic, and social—that greatly affect every business.
Our ability to adapt to changes and our commitment to innovation will determine our path. The intensity of the river is only growing stronger. We must tame the current and not be carried away recklessly by the flow of developments.
You don’t become better simply by increasing numerical figures. You become better by improving your qualitative characteristics, strengthening your foundations. To reach high, you need strong foundations! Innovation is a key characteristic we must have as our compass.
To continue being present in the future!