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Old 02-02-2009, 05:00 AM   #13
johnstu
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johnstu has learned how to buy an e-book online
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RickyMaveety View Post
I was listing to a radio show the other day, and one of the commentators noted that much of the best innovation occurs as companies need to improve their bottom line in times of economic slow down.

I have no idea if he was right or not, he could be dead wrong, but I hope he's right. I think the general thrust of what he was saying was that in times of economic downturn, people tend to keep their old stuff and repair it, and make due with it rather than just spring for the new model. What gets then to put a few bucks out for something new is when there is a significant change in the technology. The difference between "that's nice" and "OMG!!"

Again, he might have been talking out of his ass, but there is some logic to the idea that appeals to me.
Could the innovation be related more to work practices rather than product research and development?

New product development is rather expensive and risky whereas developing ways to cope when you lay off some department, e.g. outsourcing IT requirements, sounds more like a bottom line improving "innovation".
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