The Dangers of Innovation
Why It's Often Better to Follow Fast
I was recently chatting with a board member for a mid-sized, regional university. The institution was considering a large investment in an innovative, unproven application of AI and was looking for a third-party perspective.
What I shared was an evolving - and potentially contrarian - POV I have on the realities of innovation in education.
That POV is that in a highly competitive and commoditized industry - like education - the costs of attempting to lead are too high, and it’s almost always better to forgo being first and instead commit to following fast.
The Fallacy of Being First
Sure, we all want to be trailblazers, leading the charge into uncharted territory. But let's face it—higher education is more of a crowded marketplace than a wild frontier. With over 4,000 colleges and universities vying for attention, the reality is it’s highly unlikely you’re ever going to be first.
Many of the largest institutions are pouring vast sums of money - often to the tune of tens of millions of dollars - into creating the next generation of innovative solutions for education and its delivery. They have the resources, the experience, and the budget to take on the risks associated with true research and development.
But if you find yourself at an institution with fewer resources and less experience, it’s humbling but critical to ask: Do we honestly believe we can out-innovate the big players?
It's a tough pill to swallow, but for most organizations, the answer is a resounding no.
So, What's the Alternative?
It's time to embrace the concept of following fast. But what does that mean exactly?
Following fast means keeping a close eye on what the industry leaders are doing and being ready to pounce as soon as there's proof of traction. Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, you position yourself to adapt and adopt early winners swiftly.
One beauty of our industry lies in its collaborative spirit. People love to share their successes, which means that case studies and success stories abound once a new approach gains momentum.
So, here's the bottom line for the vast majority of institutions today: Don't strive to be the first; aim to be the second.
By swiftly moving to adopt proven innovations, you position your institution for success without bearing the burden - financial or otherwise - of pioneering the way.
Final Thought
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the ability to adapt and pivot quickly can be the difference between stagnation and success. So, let's challenge those most ardent calls to innovate because…
In a highly competitive and commoditized industry - like education - the costs of attempting to lead are too high, and it’s almost always better to forgo being first and instead commit to following fast.
About The Author
Seth is the founder and CEO of Kanahoma, a San Diego-based performance marketing agency on a mission to build a better agency for organizations building a better world.
You can learn more about who we are and what we do at www.Kanahoma.com.