Most of Las Vegas’ yearly Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is geared toward introducing and showing off all the most innovative new products in the tech industry. The VCR, the CD player, the Microsoft Xbox, the Blu-ray Disc all the way to 3D televisions, GoogleTV and the Nest have come out of the show in past years. In fact, over the years most major advances in consumer and professional technology have had a showing at CES.
In 2012, on top of all the electronic goodie unveilings, a panel of C-suite execs also spent time discussing forward-thinking leadership ideas that can apply to all companies, regardless of industry.
The key takeaway from the panel of leaders? Goods and services are constantly evolving. More innovative products and ideas emerge, and the old ones often become obsolete. So as a business, take great strides to replace your company’s old and current lineup of products (or services) with more of your own, or a rivaling competitor will one-up your offerings and take the lead.
Leaders from Xerox, Verizon, and Ford Motor Company discussed the critical importance of making necessary investments of money, resources, and time into efforts toward innovation.
Don’t become complacent with your offerings. Senior-level executives must keep an open ear to their industry and to their internal team of talent. You’ve got the skills and creativity to innovate. Think ahead and use those skills, or the competition will leave you behind.
C-suite execs must be willing to take risks and accept that mistakes will come along the way. Stinginess and fear of failure will get you nowhere in your company’s quest to be the best. The up-front costs in these ventures in progress, though they may be high, will pay dividends over time with the right leadership and creative minds hard at work.
Additionally, technological advances, like the ones shows at CES every year, can help advance your strategic goals as well as enhance the culture of the company – like mobile devices advances and teleconferencing abilities that create a more mobile workforce. A strong leader will see how technology can advance your goals.
Executives today can’t be Ludites and must be up to date on technological innovation to see how it can help drive innovation internally.
