Take a look at this article –> http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/technology/27nokia.html?_r=1&hpw It pretty much says that years before the iPhone came along, Nokia could have had the first hit on touch screen smart phones. Why not? Fear for marketing ultra expenses… and now who’s the king? (cough cough… something to do with a fruit?)
It’s the eternal battle between finances and marketing. Finances being the realistic, down to Earth, better-safe-than-sorry department. Completely agreeable, who wants to bounce around in life without being sure of what’s going on? It’s always precious to be reassured. But what happens when you’re too safe? How much is too much?
Pretty much, innovation is about taking that risk. Of course we always want to measure risk, kind of ironic isn’t it? Marketers always manage to sound intrepid, at times somewhat unrealistic or as liabilities. But look at the great ones and tell me that their innovation hasn’t put them where they stand.
There must be a balance, so when you feel too safe, there’s always innovation.