At a time when ultra-liberalism is disintegrating, when society is changing rapidly, where the pace of innovation is becoming more and more sustained...
What about our values ?

At a time when burn-out is decidedly the evil of the century, when many are looking for a better life at work...
What about theinnovation ?

In our companies, how can we very concretely align our values And theinnovation effort ?

Yes, innovation is a value proposition (s)

THEinnovation, it is the encounter between an invention and a market. By entering into uses, it is intended to shape society and its values in turn.

Les technological innovations, new modes of consumption or education, new forms of management are, in the primary sense of the term, value proposition (s).

Jacques Ellul, a great thinker of technology in the 20th century, wrote:

“With respect to traditional morality, technology asserts itself as an independent power. Technology loves nothing, respects nothing. It has only one role: to unravel, to clarify, then to use by rationalizing, to transform everything into a means.”

Let us be aware of the role, however small, that we play and dare Giving meaning to innovation.

Re creating meaning through innovation

Probably the best way to find meaning is to create it.

Good news: innovation allows us to do this.

Re enchanting the world, changing our consumption and management patterns... it's like a dream, everything is allowed.

So on what criteria should we judge the morality or ethics of an innovation?

I am not sure that a general answer is possible. But here are at least a few Good questions to ask yourself as a team :

• What is the purchase intention within our team itself? Why?
• What would happen if the whole market adopted our proposal?
• What is the impact on resources, on the environment, on the economy, on social ties?
• Would we be proud of it?
• What does the citizen or the consumer think about it?

Innovation, above all a collective phenomenon

It's the humility minute.

Popular fantasy believes in the creative genius of isolated men, Musk, Jobs and other mythical figures. The facts show that it is the The whole society that shapes innovation.

In reality, it is thegeneral state of knowledge which determines scientific discoveries the most. When a researcher discovers something new, they rely on existing knowledge to take the extra step that leads to novelty.

Moreover, it is common for major discoveries to be made simultaneously in several places on the planet.

There is no shortage of examples:

• Darwin and Wallace On the theory of evolution
• Einstein and Poincaré On relativity
• The telegraph, developed jointly in the United States and Europe

During creativity sessions, individuals step aside in favor of the group. This allows strong ideas to emerge without it being clear, in the end, who they come from.

They spring from collective.

Towards a culture of innovation?

Of course, a trained individual would not produce any form of innovation.

Fortunately, the company has powerful ways to boost creativity And theinnovation.

Does the education system allow our children to express themselves?
To do it differently?
To highlight and respect their differences?

Do social values, lived and felt, promote social bond And the trust necessary for creativity?

Can art, science, but also humor be put at the service of a more “baroque” and truly creative being?

Les values And the culture are more malleable than we think.

In these hectic times, where everything is finally possible, the questions presented here deserve to be asked. At the level of society but also at the level of our companies.

And don't overlook your role, it's important.

Because values are contagious.

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