How would it be if two cultures (apparently) antipodes could
talk in the name of a common objective, namely to transform innovation into
value?
In ancient Roman mythology, Vulcan and Mercury were both sons of Jupiter. They are used to acknowledging their
different mutual perspectives.
Vulcan, with his strong, long lasting
‘managerial’ experience, gained in well-established business contexts, represents
focus; that is constructive concentration. He is the self-confident master of
processes related to incremental innovation, he strives ceaselessly to improve
the value chain. Determined to pursue targets coherently with his tradition,
his role and his responsibilities.
Mercury, wannabe entrepreneur and start-up
founder, is on the other hand emblem of “harmony”, that is the participation to
the world surrounding us.
As they meet, they realize naturally that
they represent two essential, inseparable and complementary functions: Vulcan’s
concentration is the necessary condition to enable Mercury’s metamorphosis;
Mercury’s lightness (sometimes recklessness) is the necessary condition to
allow Vulcan’s tiring efforts to become drivers of new meanings.
Injecting innovation effectively in
established companies requires to take into consideration different times.
Mercury’s and Vulcan’s times. A message of agility and spontaneity, expressed by
persisting with accurate and tenacious adjustments. An instantaneous intuition
that, as soon as formulated, becomes as conclusive as something that could not
be expressed differently. But also the time that flows with no other interest
than letting young ideas mature, detaching from any ephemeral impatience.
This meeting needs to be renewed daily and
transformed into concrete value.
According to our professional and personal
experience, there can be many chances to consider the start-up phenomenon, especially
from a perspective of contamination of the dominating culture in established
companies. It is worth sharing a common thought on how to create opportunities
for those willing to experiment and recover the original confidence with
uncertainty, chaos and change.
What will make the difference is the resolute,
strategic will to observe the reality with an open and dedicated mind-set and to
look at things around us with revealing eyes.
