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Innovation vs. Invention with Mike Wilkinson

Mike Wilkinson, the founder and CEO of Paragon Innovations, sheds light on the distinction between innovation and invention. Inventions are groundbreaking creations that introduce entirely new concepts or technologies, while innovations involve improving existing ideas. Differentiating between the two is crucial for approaching projects with clarity and purpose. Inventions defy planning and scheduling, while innovations…

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Mike Wilkinson, the founder and CEO of Paragon Innovations, sheds light on the distinction between innovation and invention. Inventions are groundbreaking creations that introduce entirely new concepts or technologies, while innovations involve improving existing ideas. Differentiating between the two is crucial for approaching projects with clarity and purpose. Inventions defy planning and scheduling, while innovations can be more accurately approximated in terms of timelines and expectations. Wilkinson’s insights provide valuable guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating the dynamic landscape of innovation and invention.

Video TranscriptExpand ↓

So Mike, let's break down the difference between innovation and invention. Now innovation is in your company's name. So I think you have a pretty good idea of what what you mean by innovation. So from your perspective, how are those two things different in and invention? Very good question. So, you know, the company is named after innovations because I think that's what we do. Inventions are often misused word, I think. Invventions are true things that were created that were never done before So the internal combustion engine, the light bulb, these are these are inventions. The iPhone, as much as I love the iPhone, I love my iPhone Apple stock. In my book is not an invention, but it's a very good innovation of a cellular portable handheld device. And so I define those two very differently. One is a creation that's invention, innovation taking something and making it better and better and better? Is it important to distinguish between the two just in terms of your understanding so that you're approaching it from perspective of, if it's an innovation, you acknowledge what's come before and say, this is what I will do better and set out to do it. Where an invention really is something that has never been done before, but is it important to distinguish between the two just in terms of your overall goals and your attitude towards a project? It is because I don't think you can plan and put on a gantt chart an invention. You know, Edison tried nine hundred ninety nine times as they say and and found those ways not to create a light bulb. And then finally, on the thousands try or whatever, he he came up with a light bulb. I'm sure you couldn't put that to a gantt chart as to when it would actually occur. In innovations on the other hand, we we know the technology, and we know how long it's gonna take, and we can do a much job of approximating how long it takes to make the next generation of a given type of product.

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