Spontaneity: sparking profits

The outbreak of new knowledge cannot be scheduled or predicted accurately. Dispatching an individual or team to solve a problem or work toward a breakthrough innovation will likely result in some knowledge being formulated, but whether it is the right knowledge at the right time, the best solution, remains anyone’s guess until the process is well underway. That moment when an idea finally erupts or when a consistent picture emerges from seemingly disconnected thoughts is an individual experience. Neither the timing nor the content can be forced because the appearance of new knowledge is spontaneous. But it can be anticipated and encouraged, at least in broad terms. The mistake that companies make, however, is to equate spontaneity with randomness.