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Constraints drive innovation
We are dedicated in developing an atmosphere of using what we have to develop sustainable and valuable solutions.
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" I loved your presentation today on Frugal Innovation. I'm a big believer, though had never used the same terminology. I am convinced we have to move in this direction for sustainability. Thanks so much for a great, thought provoking presentation! "
— Laura Carrington Duckett, Information Technology Project Management Office Director, Oak Ridge National Labratory,April 2018
Fact
Claude Levi Strauss ís one of the founding fathers of frugal innovation. His concept bricolage focuses on working with what you have instead of holding out for the perfect solution. A bricoleur is someone who uses whatever is at hand.
Photo by Mara Conan Design on Unsplash
Innovation Archaeology
Let's go back into history. So how have problems been solved throughout the years? We wanted to improve on our lot, and so we tried to come up with solutions.
Photo by The New York Public Library on Unsplash
There are various solutions, and some kind of fight ensues as to who has the best solution. Might be tied to chivalry. It might be cultural.
Photo by Mpho Mojapelo on Unsplash
Two things happen soon thereafter. The con arguments disappear (or we ridicule the losers), and we run across progress traps (undue consequences we couldn't know).
Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash
Wouldnt it be great to go back in time, take our current knowledge and expertise and solve it better than we could back then?
Photo by Neil Thomas on Unsplash
Reverse Engineering
Just because it took longer or it cost more to produce does not mean it is better. Innovation often comes from individuals who are just trying to solve their own problems. Thomas Talhelm's story proves this point. He had just moved to China, was suffering under air pollution and came up with a solution using a HEPA filter clamped to a simple ventilator.
After investigation, he realized that the results he was able to achieve surpassed some professional air purifiers that cost over $1000.
" Michael is an excellent presenter and the topic of frugal innovation is very exciting. Good flow thru from needs to solutions using simple process, input, output models helped delivering the presenter message. "
— Antoine Youhana, IBM Dubai,May 2018
News
February 9, 2023
Systems Thinking and Stakeholder Analysis
First, let's talk about systems thinking. This approach to problem-solving views a problem as a whole system rather than just its parts. In other words, it's like trying to solve a puzzle – you need…
December 9, 2022
Thriving At The Edge
There are those of us on the edges of our societal spectrum that have landed there not due to income, education, or career success, but because our driver is knowing that the truth is to be found on…
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