Category Archives: Innovation

Disruptive Bread

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Poilane

I just read an interesting article on bread — French bread.

The story dates back to 1932 when Parisian baker, Pierre Poilâne decided to open his first bread shop on the busy rue du Cherche-Midi. The block was rife with other boulangeries. Whatever was M. Poilâne thinking?

Fast-forward to 2014 and any bread lover (such as myself) visiting that stretch of road in Paris’ toney Saint-Germain-des-Prés district will note that Poilâne is the only bread bakery left, some 80 years later. It turns out that M. Poilâne disrupted the bread industry.

Unlike his competitors, from the start, he did not bake the traditional French baguette. Instead, he concentrated on baking large sourdough loaves. His descendants still bake them today in his original antique ovens. Parisian families stop in regularly to purchase just enough slices for the day ahead. These lucky families enjoy the benefit of great-tasting, fresh bread and, probably, very little waste.

I tend to think of disruptive innovation as a modern concept, but this struck me as a great early example. I’ve visited this original Poilâne location and can happily attest to the quality of his longstanding product.

What other early examples of disruptive innovation can you share?

by Rebecca Cochran

I Chanced Upon “The Rules” Again Yesterday

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JohnCage.TheRulesI chanced upon “The Rules” again yesterday. They’re the ones attributed to John Cage, one of the most influential American composers and pedagogues of the 20th century. Many of his works disrupted the way we think about listening. To Cage, music was everywhere and could be made with anything. Chance plays a big role in many of his works.

Although his “Rules for Students and Teachers” were probably penned in the 1960s, I think they can apply to any of us today. Here are a few of my latest reflections on his “RULES.”

His RULE TWO and RULE THREE can just as easily apply to the workplace, as to the classroom. Each of us should pull everything out of our leaders and of our colleagues – and vice versa.

RULE FOUR, RULE SIX and RULE TEN come straight out of any course or book on Design Thinking today. I know it’s an understatement, but Cage was way ahead of his time.

RULE SEVEN is an excellent reminder. We still need to put in the hours, i.e., practice, to become accomplished at anything.

RULE EIGHT is another good reminder, as we probably all fall prey to editing our ideas before we’ve even given them a chance to develop.

RULE NINE is an important one. If we can enjoy ourselves, our work will be that much better.

His HINTS are pretty important, too. I think Cage is reminding us to practice empathy by getting out in the world. He’s urging us to stay curious and gather our dots for connecting later.

What do you think?

by Rebecca Cochran

Walk. Look. Create.

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by Rebecca Cochran

Walking alone.....I’ve been walking daily since I was a little girl. I have my father to thank for that. I relished our evening walks together from my adolescent through teenage years. We’d set out, just the two of us, every evening after dinner, walking, sometimes talking, always observing the world around us. When we’d return, we were ready to tackle the dinner dishes and I was ready to tackle my homework.

Walking is a gift. It is something most of us can do for free. Walking doesn’t require any unusual talents. We don’t have to buy any special clothing (although a comfortable pair of walking shoes is recommended). Most of us can simply head out the door of our home or office and just walk.

Walking is nature’s cure-all. No matter how I feel when I set out on a walk, I always feel better by the end. If I’m tired when I start my walk, I’m rejuvenated when I finish. If I’m feeling overwhelmed with work or personal issues when I begin a walk, I am clear-headed and focused by the end. And, of course, the long-term physical benefits of moderate-impact aerobic activities like walking are well-known.

As an adult, no matter where I’ve lived – city or suburban setting, no matter the climate, I’ve always kept up my walking ritual. A daily walk, even a short one, is a must for me. I’m not one to listen to music or the news while I walk. I focus on my stride (to create a sort of natural rhythm). And I focus on my surroundings, trying to notice things that I’d miss if I were driving the same route.

I walk best alone. (Sorry, Dad.) Friends regularly invite me to join in their walking rituals, but I usually decline their offers. The benefits I derive from walking come when I’m able to think and observe in silence.

The simple act of a daily walk allows me to solve problems. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve begun a walk thinking I had a big problem to sort through, only to determine, 10 minutes in, that I’d been blowing the issue way out of proportion.

And, best of all, I regularly experience creative breakthroughs when I walk. These breakthroughs happen when I’m not even trying. The act of walking and focusing on my stride clears my head. Ideas flow naturally. Dots connect themselves.

Walk. Look. Create. It’s really that simple.