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The rise of the reluctant innovator

by kiwanja

Last month I attended the Global Competitiveness Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. More business-focused than developmental, it gave me the chance to take our work not only to a new audience, but to a new region. The “Conscious Capitalism” panel I sat on also focused on some of the questions I’ve been increasingly thinking about, and the conference theme of “innovation as a means to competitiveness” resonated.

Despite that, it was never going to be easy to get away from the fact that this was primarily a business conference. The discussion was dominated by how you might “harness innovation”, if that were ever possible. How could businesses become innovation hubs or centres of excellence? Why is it important to link the business, technology and education communities (something Silicon Valley seems to do so well)? It was a fascinating three days, but many of the delegates seemed to be missing a trick. (To be fair, many of them probably weren’t looking).

Entrepreneurs were worshipped, and business models praised, but much of the focus only took into account those people with an eye for business, or a knack for creating compelling business models, or making money. I found myself sitting in the middle of an “innovation divide”.

After a few years working in the non-profit/technology world, I’d say the landscape could be summed up as:

1. People with ideas and business models are called entrepreneurs.
2. Everyone else is an innovator.

The interesting thing for me is that, whilst the mechanics of entrepreneurship can be taught, most innovation is random, personal, demand-driven, inspired and instinctive. In short, innovation occurs naturally in the real world. Balance sheets and P&Ls, on the other hand, do not.

From where I sit, the whole “social entrepreneurship” discussion to date seems to have been dominated by the business side of things – those predominantly in the first line. Innovators unable to make a business case for their ideas struggle for visibility. To compound the problem further, for technology innovators in particular, “unsustainable” is a four letter word in their industry, resulting in even more doors closing ahead of them. Examples of fully sustainable mobile-based innovations are few and far between, as anyone who works in “mobiles for development” will know.

Innovators with world-changing ideas, solid business models and a steady income stream are the creme de la creme. They’re the ones paraded around at social entrepreneurship conferences. Many started off wanting to be “social entrepreneurs”, and many are highly ambitious and studied hard to get there. I’ve probably met hundreds over the years.

Most innovators I know never started off as such. Few remember ever saying to themselves “I want to innovate”. They’re what I’d call “reluctant innovators” – people who found themselves in the midst of a problem they felt compelled to solve. Frontline healthcare workers who see a medial problem with no solution and come up with one, or a farmer who loses a crop but finds an answer and implements and shares it. The majority of people in the developing world finding everyday solutions to everyday problems are reluctant innovators. They didn’t ask to be, they became. Real world experience was their education, not an MBA.

One of the best examples of a “reluctant innovator” I’ve come across is Laura Stachel, who I first met at a conference in New York back in 2009. Laura’s organisation – WE CARE Solar – designs portable solar lighting kits for maternity wards in developing countries (click the image above to watch her five minute Pop!Tech 2010 video).

When she first headed out to Nigeria, she was planning to work on something entirely different, but after realising that a simple lack of lighting was responsible for an unacceptable number of mother and child deaths – maternal mortality rates in Nigeria are among the highest in the world, with a ratio of 1,100 maternal deaths occurring for every 100,000 live births – she turned her attention to helping design, build and distribute solar kits to solve it (see photo below). Laura never intended to build and run an organisation, and never chose to become a solar innovator, but seeing a problem she felt compelled to fix, she reluctantly became one.

I would also count myself as a reluctant innovator – FrontlineSMS was never planned – and the team behind Ushahidi would likely feel the same. They were simply responding to a crisis in their country. None of us went out looking for something to solve. A problem found us, and we felt compelled to solve it.

I’d argue that most of the more successful innovations in ICT4D have come about this way – solutions created not by ‘traditional’ innovators, or technologists, but regular people who find themselves on the frontline of a challenge, and who decide to not turn their backs but to take it on. I think we can all learn from this – the social entrepreneurship sector included.

Further reading
Cometh the hour. Cometh the technology
Mechanics vs. motivation: The two faces of social innovation
Enabling the inspiration generation
Wrong model. Wrong place
Mobile technology and the last mile

Further viewing
The innovation/entrepreneurship divide [video]

115 comments

1 Ken Banks { 02.24.11 at 11:43 am }

Rethinking social entrepreneurship and the role of the "reluctant innovator". http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

2 Ken Banks { 02.24.11 at 11:44 am }

Rethinking social entrepreneurship and the rise of the "reluctant innovator". http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

3 Christian Vanizette { 02.24.11 at 11:49 am }

RT @kiwanja: Rethinking social entrepreneurship and the rise of the "reluctant innovator". http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

4 John Wells { 02.24.11 at 11:50 am }

RT @kiwanja: Rethinking social entrepreneurship and the rise of the "reluctant innovator". http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

5 John Postill { 02.24.11 at 11:51 am }

RT @kiwanja: Rethinking social entrepreneurship and the rise of the "reluctant innovator". http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

6 changefeed { 02.24.11 at 11:55 am }

->@kiwanja: The rise of the reluctant innovator http://bit.ly/i0ZSzo

7 Malinda M Lowery { 02.24.11 at 11:57 am }

RT @kyraocity RT @kiwanja: Rethinking social entrepreneurship and the rise of the "reluctant innovator". http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

8 Cindy FrewenWuellner { 02.24.11 at 11:59 am }

RT @kiwanja: Rethinking social entrepreneurship and the rise of the "reluctant innovator". http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

9 Cui { 02.24.11 at 12:00 pm }

RT @kiwanja: Rethinking social entrepreneurship and the rise of the "reluctant innovator". http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

10 linda carroli { 02.24.11 at 12:01 pm }

RT @Urbanverse: RT @kiwanja: Rethinking social entrepreneurship and the rise of the "reluctant innovator". http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent # …

11 Katherine Lucey { 02.24.11 at 12:01 pm }

great read: RT @kiwanja Rethinking social entrepreneurship and the rise of the "reluctant innovator". http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

12 Bill Nigh { 02.24.11 at 12:06 pm }

RT @kyraocity: RT @kiwanja: Rethinking social entrepreneurship and the rise of the "reluctant innovator". http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

13 Hapee de Groot { 02.24.11 at 12:06 pm }

food for thought: The rise of the reluctant innovator from @kiwanja http://ow.ly/42vFo I like the reluctant addition

14 V Perrier-Trudov { 02.24.11 at 12:27 pm }

RT @kiwanja: Rethinking social entrepreneurship and the rise of the "reluctant innovator". http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

15 Fr@nthro { 02.24.11 at 12:56 pm }

#anthro blog post: The rise of the reluctant innovator: Last month I attended the Global Competitiveness Forum … http://clct.me/DctI1

16 Karim SY { 02.24.11 at 1:39 pm }

RT @kiwanja: Rethinking social entrepreneurship and the rise of the "reluctant innovator". http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

17 Ken Banks { 02.24.11 at 3:05 pm }

Rethinking social entrepreneurship with the rise of the "reluctant innovator". http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

18 Sheriff Shittu O. { 02.24.11 at 3:08 pm }

RT @kiwanja: Rethinking social entrepreneurship with the rise of the "reluctant innovator". http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

19 Christian Vanizette { 02.24.11 at 3:16 pm }

RT @kiwanja: Rethinking social entrepreneurship with the rise of the "reluctant innovator". http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

20 Fenno Verdaasdonk { 02.24.11 at 3:24 pm }

Post from @Coconutsurfing: Rethinking social entrepreneurship with the rise of the "reluctant innovator". http://is.gd/J2X7Ya

21 Imagineering Academy { 02.24.11 at 3:37 pm }

RT @Fennos: Post from @Coconutsurfing: Rethinking social entrepreneurship with the rise of the "reluctant innovator". http://is.gd/J2X7Ya

22 Brian Puckett { 02.24.11 at 3:49 pm }

Ken, as always great observation, Personally, I never really understood the definition of social enterprise. To me its just business — but one with a goal beyond just making a profit. Maybe, I am wrong, but an “enterprise” denotes a business and thus some underlying profit motive, or at the very least, sustainability through cost being covered by revenue. Is a business any less valuable if an objective of the business is to also accrue value to customers that have typically been overlooked or underserved? Granted social enterprise appears to be a mantle off which many types of hats are hung. Some good, some bad. Further, the popularity of social enterprise may, in some ways, detract from work of traditional development programs. But, isn’t the new “yardstick” of sustainability a good thing for both social enterprises and traditional development programs? You may disagree, but I think there are a lot of young people and business people that are working under a new paradigm. A paradigm that at its core is trying to create value for “customers” rather then just trying to turn a profit by selling more products or services.

I think the interesting questions is how does one create a bridge between the new social enterprises and traditional development programs and practitioners? Can such a bridge be created so each can learn, cooperate, support and enhance the work of the other? As a pioneer in this field I believe your thoughts and observations are important to assist social enterprises in “getting it right.” I know you have written about this in the past. I have always found it helpful in my own thinking and work. But, innovation no matter where it comes from is good; if properly done.

23 Marvin K. Tumbo { 02.24.11 at 4:16 pm }

RT @kiwanja: Rethinking social entrepreneurship with the rise of the "reluctant innovator". http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

24 Socialight Media (K) { 02.24.11 at 4:16 pm }

RT @kiwanja: Rethinking social entrepreneurship with the rise of the "reluctant innovator". http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

25 PopTech { 02.24.11 at 4:36 pm }

Rethinking social entrepreneurship with the rise of the "reluctant innovator" by @kiwanja http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

26 The rise of the reluctant innovator | Global Health Hub { 02.24.11 at 4:37 pm }

[...] rest is here: The rise of the reluctant innovator AKPC_IDS += [...]

27 Bruce Nussbaum { 02.24.11 at 4:52 pm }

RT @poptech: Rethinking social entrepreneurship with the rise of the "reluctant innovator" by @kiwanja http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

28 Emily Qualey { 02.24.11 at 5:18 pm }

I like the idea of the “reluctant innovator” – it’s humanizing.

29 Parna Sarkar-Basu { 02.24.11 at 5:21 pm }

Rethinking social entrepreneurship with the rise of the "reluctant innovator" by @kiwanja http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #ict4d via @brucenussbaum

30 socialedge { 02.24.11 at 5:29 pm }

Check @kiwanja's post on difference between entrepreneur and 'reluctant innovator' http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

31 Bill Marty { 02.24.11 at 5:41 pm }

1. People with ideas and business models are called entrepreneurs.
2. Everyone else is an innovator.
via @kiwanja, http://goo.gl/xmn6A

32 D'Silva, Inc. { 02.24.11 at 5:44 pm }

RT @socialedge: Check @kiwanja's post on difference between entrepreneur and 'reluctant innovator' http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

33 ochuko's blog { 02.24.11 at 5:46 pm }

RT @socialedge: Check @kiwanja's post on difference between entrepreneur and 'reluctant innovator' http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

34 Sekai Farai { 02.24.11 at 5:47 pm }

RT @socialedge: Check @kiwanja's post on difference between entrepreneur and 'reluctant innovator' http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

35 Steve Finikiotis { 02.24.11 at 5:47 pm }

Rethinking social entrepreneurship w/ the rise of the "reluctant innovator" by @kiwanja http://is.gd/J2X7Ya via @brucenussbaum @poptech

36 jasonatwood { 02.24.11 at 5:51 pm }

RT @poptech: Rethinking social entrepreneurship with the rise of the "reluctant innovator" by @kiwanja http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

37 Gene Homicki { 02.24.11 at 6:02 pm }

"People with ideas and business models are called #entrepreneurs, everyone else is an #innovator" http://t.co/HMD5uqK via @WSToolLibrary

38 Rolfe Larson { 02.24.11 at 6:06 pm }

RT @socialedge: Check @kiwanja's post on difference between entrepreneur and 'reluctant innovator' http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

39 isiomautomi { 02.24.11 at 6:18 pm }

RT @kiwanja: Rethinking social entrepreneurship with the rise of the "reluctant innovator". http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

40 Bruce Lowry { 02.24.11 at 7:16 pm }

RT @socialedge: Check @kiwanja's post on difference between entrepreneur and 'reluctant innovator' http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

41 Nicole Chen { 02.24.11 at 8:34 pm }

I’m finding this line of thought really compelling, but need a little clarification. Based on your definition of an entrepreneur and innovator, are you saying that innovators do not have business models to their ideas? Or perhaps the point is that innovators are not driven solely by their business models but in fact also derive great value from the social challenge they are addressing that does not manifest in $ as a metric. I would argue that innovation does indeed need a model for financial sustainability (which you can call a business model), or else it becomes mere invention.

42 marionbcn { 02.24.11 at 10:05 pm }

RT @socialedge: Check @kiwanja's post on difference between entrepreneur and 'reluctant innovator' http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

43 openinnovation { 02.25.11 at 2:43 am }

The rise of the reluctant innovator | Build it Kenny, and they will come…: http://bit.ly/fukHds

44 Echoing Green { 02.25.11 at 3:03 am }

A thoughtful post from @Kiwanja: Rethinking #socent & the rise of the "reluctant innovator": http://ht.ly/4352b #ict4d #innovation

45 Nicole Chen { 02.25.11 at 3:10 am }

Nice insights on innovation driven by compassion & duty: RT @poptech: The rise of the "reluctant innovator" http://is.gd/J2X7Ya

46 Heather LaGarde { 02.25.11 at 3:11 am }

RT @liberationtech: @kiwanja says "reluctant innovators" not entrepreneurs solve #ICT4D problems http://is.gd/J2X7Ya

47 Bruce Nussbaum { 02.25.11 at 3:30 am }

RT @nychen: Nice insights on innovation driven by compassion & duty: RT @poptech: The rise of the "reluctant innovator" http://is.gd/J2X7Ya

48 Forrest Luu { 02.25.11 at 3:34 am }

RT @nychen: Nice insights on innovation driven by compassion & duty: RT @poptech: The rise of the "reluctant innovator" http://is.gd/J2X7Ya

49 Nick Partridge { 02.25.11 at 3:34 am }

RT @nychen: Nice insights on innovation driven by compassion & duty: RT @poptech: The rise of the "reluctant innovator" http://is.gd/J2X7Ya

50 vedanthangal { 02.25.11 at 4:03 am }

RT @TopsyRT: The rise of the reluctant innovator http://bit.ly/g3AP33 #socent #innovation

51 Lluís Compte Puerto { 02.25.11 at 4:04 am }

RT @TopsyRT: The rise of the reluctant innovator http://bit.ly/g3AP33 #SocEnt #innovation

52 Chris Ferguson { 02.25.11 at 4:04 am }

RT @nychen: Nice insights on innovation driven by compassion & duty: RT @poptech: The rise of the "reluctant innovator" http://is.gd/J2X7Ya

53 SMSOne { 02.25.11 at 4:08 am }

RT @lluiscompte: RT @TopsyRT: The rise of the reluctant innovator http://bit.ly/g3AP33 #SocEnt #innovation

54 Jennifer Jorgensen { 02.25.11 at 5:04 am }

RT @echoinggreen: A thoughtful post from @Kiwanja: Rethinking #socent & the rise of the "reluctant innovator": http://ht.ly/4352b #ict4d …

55 Laura Stachel { 02.25.11 at 5:20 am }

Here's a blog by Ken Banks, founder of Kiwanja.net on innovators vs social entrepreneurs… http://fb.me/w7W5svVZ

56 Marvin K. Tumbo { 02.25.11 at 5:34 am }

RT @HeatherLaGarde: RT @liberationtech: @kiwanja says "reluctant innovators" not entrepreneurs solve #ICT4D problems http://is.gd/J2X7Ya

57 C Todd Lombardo { 02.25.11 at 6:05 am }

RT @nychen: Nice insights on innovation driven by compassion & duty: RT @poptech: The rise of the "reluctant innovator" http://is.gd/J2X7Ya

58 ideasforgoodph { 02.25.11 at 6:53 am }

Reading the rise of the "reluctant innovator": http://ht.ly/4352b via @echoinggreen RE A thoughtful post from @Kiwanja: Rethinking #socent &

59 Afrika Kabissa { 02.25.11 at 8:46 am }

RT @HeatherLaGarde: RT @liberationtech: @kiwanja says "reluctant innovators" not entrepreneurs solve #ICT4D problems http://is.gd/J2X7Ya

60 JazCummins { 02.25.11 at 10:29 am }

Great post from @kiwanja The rise of the reluctant innovator http://bit.ly/g3AP33 #ITC4D #globaldev

61 Anjali Ramachandran { 02.25.11 at 10:32 am }

RT @JazCummins: Great post from @kiwanja The rise of the reluctant innovator http://bit.ly/g3AP33 #ITC4D #globaldev

62 Elmira Bayrasli { 02.25.11 at 11:14 am }

“@GdnDevelopment: Great post from @kiwanja The rise of the reluctant innovator http://bit.ly/g3AP33 #ITC4D”

63 kiwanja { 02.25.11 at 11:26 am }

@Brian – Thanks for engaging in the discussion. I’m not sure what the answers are, but there does appear to be a mismatch going on here and I’d argue that it’s certainly well worth trying to solve. Another post which I didn’t link to here – “Wrong model. Wrong place” – also touches on some of this.

@Nicole – Glad some of the ideas/thoughts here resonate. I think you’ve pretty-much got it in your comment. For me, innovators focus on solving the problem in the most practical, sensible way possible. Business models and building organisations are the furthest things from their minds at that early stage. If their idea gains traction, then (and only then) do they tend to worry themselves with the business side of things. I’m not saying this is the right way of doing it, but just the way it seems to be.

@Emily – Thanks. I agree. :)

64 policylabtweets { 02.25.11 at 11:27 am }

RECOMMENDS: "the reluctant innovator" http://t.co/CalzmrV

65 Pablo Rodriguez B. { 02.25.11 at 12:40 pm }

The rise of the recluctant innovator, by @kiwanja A problem found us, and we felt compelled to solve it. http://bit.ly/g3AP33 #ITC4D”

66 blendedvalue { 02.25.11 at 1:31 pm }

RT @lluiscompte: RT @TopsyRT: The rise of the reluctant innovator http://bit.ly/g3AP33 #SocEnt #innovation

67 Will DeKrey { 02.25.11 at 1:46 pm }

RT @echoinggreen: A thoughtful post from @Kiwanja: Rethinking #socent & the rise of the "reluctant innovator": http://ht.ly/4352b #ict4d …

68 think design change { 02.25.11 at 8:21 pm }

RT @nychen: Nice insights on innovation driven by compassion & duty: RT @poptech: The rise of the "reluctant innovator" http://is.gd/J2X7Ya

69 mobilemonkey22 { 02.25.11 at 9:52 pm }

great post, kenny. love the insight

70 Potocki Consulting { 02.25.11 at 9:59 pm }

RT @whiteafrican: Excellent. The rise of the reluctant innovator: http://www.kiwanja.net/blog/2011/02/the-rise-of-the-reluctant-innovator/

71 Kristina Loring { 02.25.11 at 10:23 pm }

The rise of the reluctant innovator (h/t @whiteafrican) http://bit.ly/fw8JSi

72 frog design { 02.25.11 at 10:23 pm }

The rise of the reluctant innovator (h/t @whiteafrican) http://bit.ly/fw8JSi

73 Pablo Cabezas { 02.25.11 at 10:25 pm }

RT @frogdesign: The rise of the reluctant innovator (h/t @whiteafrican) http://bit.ly/fw8JSi

74 the mr black { 02.25.11 at 10:32 pm }

RT @frogdesign: The rise of the reluctant innovator (h/t @whiteafrican) http://bit.ly/fw8JSi

75 Emil Tin { 02.25.11 at 10:44 pm }

“@frogdesign: The rise of the reluctant innovator (h/t @whiteafrican) http://t.co/ioB8JAX” #innovation #socent #soclab

76 ekvoice { 02.25.11 at 10:50 pm }

RT @EmilTin: “@frogdesign: The rise of the reluctant innovator (h/t @whiteafrican) http://t.co/ioB8JAX” #innovation #socent #soclab

77 Mark Hurrell { 02.25.11 at 10:56 pm }

RT @frogdesign: The rise of the reluctant innovator (h/t @whiteafrican) http://bit.ly/fw8JSi

78 Cameron Norman { 02.25.11 at 11:12 pm }

RT @nychen: Nice insights on innovation driven by compassion & duty: RT @poptech: The rise of the "reluctant innovator" http://is.gd/J2X7Ya

79 Claudia Hutagalung { 02.25.11 at 11:32 pm }

RT for later @frogdesign: The rise of the reluctant innovator (h/t @whiteafrican) http://bit.ly/fw8JSi

80 Wendy Levy { 02.26.11 at 2:33 am }

RT @whiteafrican: Excellent. The rise of the reluctant innovator: http://www.kiwanja.net/blog/2011/02/the-rise-of-the-reluctant-innovator/

81 Samuel Kamochu { 02.26.11 at 4:50 am }

The rise of the reluctant innovator http://bit.ly/g3AP33

82 anne smits { 02.26.11 at 10:35 am }

RT @kiwanja: Rethinking social entrepreneurship with the rise of the "reluctant innovator". http://is.gd/J2X7Ya #socent #ict4d

83 Jason Toth { 02.26.11 at 12:36 pm }

Insightful article on "the reluctant innovator" and r.sip b/n innovation and business http://bit.ly/fw8JSi

84 Jeremiah Landi { 02.26.11 at 6:56 pm }

An interesting look at innovation: http://bit.ly/g2dwlI.

85 Claudia Huenchuleo { 02.26.11 at 9:11 pm }

RT @TopsyRT: The rise of the reluctant innovator http://bit.ly/g3AP33

86 Robert Marston { 02.27.11 at 1:38 am }

RT @whiteafrican: Excellent. The rise of the reluctant innovator: http://www.kiwanja.net/blog/2011/02/the-rise-of-the-reluctant-innovator/

87 Robert Marston { 02.27.11 at 1:53 am }

The rise of the reluctant innovator http://bit.ly/fxWTu1 @kiwanja Who is your favorite #ri ?

88 Zemoga { 02.28.11 at 2:15 pm }

Great post. The rise of the reluctant innovator http://bit.ly/fW3LTF

89 Adam Cunningham { 02.28.11 at 2:41 pm }

RT @Zemoga: Great post. The rise of the reluctant innovator http://bit.ly/fW3LTF

90 Josef Scarantino { 03.01.11 at 12:35 am }

The rise of the reluctant innovator: http://ow.ly/451pR via @kiwanja

91 Development Digest – 04/03/11 « What am I doing here? { 03.04.11 at 7:45 am }

[...] Rise of the Reluctant Innovator – http://www.kiwanja.net/blog/2011/02/the-rise-of-the-reluctant-innovator/ Real Conservatives Don’t Slash Aid – [...]

92 BTH Sustainability { 03.04.11 at 9:49 pm }

The rise of the reluctant innovator http://bit.ly/e0IvvK via @kiwanja ^mv

93 cynthia jabar { 03.08.11 at 9:07 pm }

"ON THE FRONTLINE OF CHALLENGE" RT @TopsyRT: The rise of the reluctant innovator http://bit.ly/g3AP33 @kiwanja @ianchia via @thinkdsignchnge

94 Ian Chia { 03.08.11 at 10:36 pm }

RT @nychen: Nice insights on innovation driven by compassion & duty: RT @poptech: The rise of the "reluctant innovator" http://is.gd/J2X7Ya

95 The innovation/entrepreneurship divide | Build it Kenny, and they will come... { 03.10.11 at 1:39 pm }

[...] Last month I attended the Global Competitiveness Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and sat on a Panel discussing “Conscious Capitalism” with Sally Osberg from Skoll, Bright Simons from IMANI, Michael Strong from FLOW and Mabel van Oranje from The Elders. It was during preparation for a short ten minute talk that my concept of “reluctant innovators” took shape, something I blogged about in more detail here. [...]

96 Paul Wagner { 03.11.11 at 2:14 pm }

An #innovation / #entrepreneurship divide: "The rise of the reluctant innovator" http://bit.ly/e52iWA @kiwanja

97 Patricia { 03.11.11 at 7:12 pm }

Nice piece by Ken Banks: The rise of the reluctant innovator http://bit.ly/g3AP33

98 Ken Banks { 03.19.11 at 2:44 am }

@Gauravonomics Glad you like it. =) You can read my full thoughts on "reluctant innovators" here: http://is.gd/tHZ1vJ #socent

99 Kit Cody { 03.19.11 at 12:24 pm }

RT @kiwanja Read my full thoughts on reluctant innovators http://is.gd/tHZ1vJ "innovation occurs naturally- balance sheets- do not" #socent

100 Shirley A. { 03.25.11 at 3:56 pm }

RT @PattyMechael: Nice piece by Ken Banks: The rise of the reluctant innovator http://bit.ly/g3AP33

101 Rosita Nunes { 03.29.11 at 6:52 pm }

The rise of the reluctant innovator. #solar #maternity #healthcare #Africa http://bit.ly/fW3LTF

102 Spreading the word… « Aid 2.0 { 04.19.11 at 9:31 pm }

[...] of FrontlineSMS. Ken is a great believer in innovating to solve real problems. His blog post on the reluctant innovator is worth a read in this regard. It’s a label he also gives himself. He says: [...]

103 Ken Banks { 02.21.12 at 7:22 pm }

Because many are "reluctant innovators" -> http://t.co/GL8Rj2sk R/T @whiteafrican "Not a lot of entrepreneurs come out of business schools"

104 Amby Uche { 02.21.12 at 7:36 pm }

Because many are "reluctant innovators" -> http://t.co/GL8Rj2sk R/T @whiteafrican "Not a lot of entrepreneurs come out of business schools"

105 The Shelter Movie { 02.21.12 at 9:00 pm }

Because many are "reluctant innovators" -> http://t.co/GL8Rj2sk R/T @whiteafrican "Not a lot of entrepreneurs come out of business schools"

106 Ken Banks { 03.16.12 at 1:22 pm }

@Gauravonomics @the_idea_agency Some of it is based on my "The rise of the reluctant innovator" post. http://t.co/GL8Rj2sk

107 Gaurav Mishra { 03.16.12 at 1:38 pm }

Love @kiwanja's ideas on the innovation divide between the reluctant innovator and the (social) entrepreneur http://t.co/3DIQ88dl

108 Parvathi Menon { 03.16.12 at 1:45 pm }

When the problem finds you and compels you to become a reluctant innovator. by @kiwanja http://t.co/tc0TE0UM via @Gauravonomics

109 Sivakumar Surampudi { 03.16.12 at 2:30 pm }

"A problem found us, and we felt compelled to solve it" says @kiwanja, a "reluctant innovator" ~ http://t.co/ccF5HooW (via @parvathimenon)

110 pavan { 03.16.12 at 3:46 pm }

"A problem found us, and we felt compelled to solve it" says @kiwanja, a "reluctant innovator" ~ http://t.co/ccF5HooW (via @parvathimenon)

111 Vidya Sagar Anantha { 04.21.12 at 1:59 pm }

"A problem found us, and we felt compelled to solve it" says @kiwanja, a "reluctant innovator" ~ http://t.co/ccF5HooW (via @parvathimenon)

112 In search of reluctant innovators | Build it Kenny, and they will come... { 05.08.12 at 6:37 am }

[...] on something I’d been pondering for some time – “reluctant innovation”. That first post paved the way for further work, and more recently a guest article in Wired Magazine in the UK [...]

113 Seeking “reluctant innovators” for a new book – News Watch { 05.09.12 at 10:26 am }

[...] a few thoughts on something I’d been pondering for some time – “reluctant innovation”. That first post paved the way for further work, and more recently a guest article in Wired Magazine in the UK [...]

114 Pitching social entrepreneurship in the Den | Build it Kenny, and they will come... { 05.25.12 at 10:05 am }

[...] talk, which at an hour is about twice as long as I usually get, focused on a range of topics from reluctant innovation to grassroots innovation, my background, things which I feel define me and my work, and lessons [...]

115 #JoinOurCore: Talking social innovation in the Dragons Den – News Watch { 05.25.12 at 12:37 pm }

[...] talk, which at an hour is about twice as long as I usually get, focused on a range of topics from reluctant innovation to grassroots innovation, my background, the humble beginnings (and current impact) of [...]

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