Exactly one month ago I was sworn in as a US Citizen, and this 4th of July will thus have special meaning to me. I will now look at what’s happening on this day with a sense of belonging and sharing, and being a part of something bigger. I think in a lot of ways that is what happens when people practice Open Innovation. When collaboration between two companies is done successfully, they will share many very important details around their future growth goals and projects, and create something that is bigger. It is almost like being “sworn in” to be a part of the community of Open Innovation Practitioners.
America became a very successful nation by being a “melting pot” of people from all nations; people that brought their brains, their energy, and their passion here in order to build a future for themselves and this country. Again, there is a striking analogy here since Open Innovation is also about people from all nations bringing solutions to problems that will help companies, and consequently also countries to have a better future. Could America have been as successful if only one set of people were allowed to contribute to this country?
Lastly, when thinking about the birth of this nation, there was a set of progressive thinkers that were passionate about doing the unthinkable: To create a true democracy, with “The People” contributing to the development of the country and its institutions. Likewise, Open Innovation was started by some progressive thinkers that did the unthinkable: To say that more and more innovation needs to come from the outside!
My hope is that just like this great country that has been around for well over 200 years, Open Innovation is here to stay as well. It has had its revolutionary wars, but it has come a long way from its early days.
A Happy 4th of July Weekend to all of you!
Sincerely, Andy Zynga