Some Thoughts On Innovation Ecosystems • Derek Cheshire

Here are a few thoughts on the topic which may help you directly or inspire further thinking.

Diversity is Key

Innovation ecosystems thrive on diversity. A mix of people, ideas, and resources from various backgrounds and industries can spark creative solutions. It’s like a salad bar for innovation, with different ingredients coming together to make something awesome.

Collaboration is the Name of the Game

In these ecosystems, collaboration is more important than competition. Instead of everyone fighting for a piece of the pie, they work together to make the pie bigger. Think of it as a potluck dinner where everyone brings something unique to the table.

Start Small, Dream Big

Many successful innovation ecosystems started small and grew over time. Silicon Valley, for example, began as a cluster of tech companies in a garage. So, even if your innovation ecosystem is just a few passionate folks in a co-working space, don’t be discouraged. Big things can grow from small beginnings!

Global Innovation Ecosystems

I mention these briefly because they come up in popular discussion but there is only one true global Ecosystem that exists and that is our planet which is being slowly destroyed by us. In its former condition, it was a good example but our management of it shows why trying to create another such system to attack global issues is perhaps a pipedream.

My own opinion is that we should mimic nature and create a multitude of much smaller systems that can coexist and in time perhaps merge. Think of the rain forests and the fungi and plants that exist on the forest floor meeting another complementary ecosystem at the edge of the forest. The only danger is that we could accidentally create a poison or the equivalent of an antibiotic that destroys the organic system that we are creating.

If you need a little help with your Innovation Ecosystems then please get in touch …