Why choose disruptive innovations as a job market?
Innovation is happening at an unprecedented rate. It feels like technology is advancing faster than ever because it is. It is happening in nearly every industry, and not only do we see great strides when it comes to efficiency, affordability and access, we also see total disruption. New models are systematically uprooting the way we think and behave.
The term "disruptor" has developed a unicorn status in Paris Stock Exchange and Silicon Valley.
If you didn't know better, you might think the Race to Disrupt was an extreme sport. I myself have been called a disruptor for launch new products in different markets, for believe in the potential of new companies with disruptive products when my professional background favours me joining traditional multinationals. While I'll admit I don't hate it, I have to say: being a disruptor is not all glory. There are a few things you should understand about disruption. Here's how to turn the world upside down.
Be the puzzle piece; don't look for a puzzle!
Being the first to achieve something great, always deserves praise. However, the proverbial satin ribbon at the finish line is never the end of the race if you have a larger goal in mind. How do you want to change society and the world?
For me, work with innovative products that disrupted the traditional industry; my larger goal is to bring products to the new markets that improve a way of life, that facilitate a mechanism in an industry or even that allow public policies to work more efficiently and more consciously.
If your goal is excellent enough, being first will be just one small step in a lifetime of hard work and passion. Please do it for you for your conviction. Put in what you are doing to make sure that regardless of the success in numbers, you have invested certainties.
Being First Doesn't Mean Winning
It's what pushes the world forward. That said, as soon as you disrupt an industry, there will be someone out there trying to figure out how to one-up you. Maybe you're okay with that, but if you want to stay in the game, never get comfortable. If you want your business to have longevity, and to compete, you have to continue thinking differently and questioning yourself, your truths, and any preconceptions or biases you may have.
Your product will never be good enough. Your work will never be at the level you can still reach. This is your sweet spot.
When you're a disruptor, you need to purposefully think and act differently, to see the opportunity where others haven't looked. Don't just ride on your own coattails. Being first is great, but it doesn't mean you've won.
Accept to row against the current and accept the waves against
It doesn't matter how drastically you've changed your industry for the better, or how much improvement you've made in the world, and there will always be naysayers.
People who didn't believe in you, your potential or your choices. Be rational. Calculate the facts and strengthen yourself. If your business plan is sturdy enough that you continue to believe. Work!
Choose your team carefully. Surround yourself with people who can believe in your project and paddle with you in the same direction. Fall in love with your team for your project. Make them understand the same as you. You will never arrive alone, and you need your arms, legs, hands, fingers and bones.
There Are No Guidebooks
I had the opportunity to integrate the best schools in Europe. But the truth is that no school teaches you to face a market. This is undoubtedly the best lesson to learn.
Part of being a disruptor is viewing things through a unique lens. That means you have to eschew the rules of your industry. You have to speak to your consumer differently so you can cut through all the noise. You have to hire individually because people with industry experience have been trained to sell, market and expand in the same way that all the incumbents have. You have to manufacture your product differently, so it looks, feels and is used individually.
Because you have this lens, there is no guidebook for you.
Be neutral. Be rational: People Will Try to Credit for Your Work
Just as you will find people who did not believe in your product, you will find people who supported you regardless of everything. These people are essential in the daily challenge to make you emotionally maintain a balance. But be rational!
What should guide you is the passion for your product and the evidence! Evidence of success.
Don't be afraid to reinvent your product as often as necessary. Do not slow down the development of your technology because you think it is sufficiently level. No one this! And innovation follows its fast pace. There will always be a competitor somewhere to take your place, so rationalize.
I fell in love with new technology when I was tourne 19 years old in Korea.
Since then, I have had the opportunity to discover completely different and disruptive markets. Developing these markets in other countries represented for me more than a challenge, a mission. Last seven years, I work with engineers believed products — others who did not believe in the genius of what they were creating. Between these two, who were successful were those who intelligently balanced with passion and reason. Who chose their teams and shared love and goals. Who surrounded themselves with people who shared the same ethical and moral values.
So, if I need to conclude that with « why I chose disruptive innovations as a market », my answer is: I choose for the adventure of believing. Believe we can still be transforming the world into something better, more correct, more balanced. We can always transform people's lives with technology in favour of man.
I choose to fall in love every day with what I do. For being moved by it.
Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.
Steve Jobs
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