The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation

by kiwanja

What do the Rolling Stones and FrontlineSMS have in common? Not much, you might think. Well, they’re not users, they’re a little better-off than us and they’re considerably more famous. But there is something a little more subtle we share with them – management innovation.

In his autobiography – “Life” – published last year, Keith Richards describes the evolution of The Rolling Stones‘ management. Three quite distinct individuals played key roles in getting the band to where they are today. From an article last November in The Week magazine:

“First up was Andrew Loog Oldham – described as an oddity of the London music scene – who successfully branded The Stones as the “dirty, snarling and mean” antidote to the then clean-cut Beatles. Then came Allen Klein, a lawyer expert in negotiating with record companies. Finally, there was Prince Rupert Lowenstein, a private banker with no roots in the music industry, who professionalised the outfit – establishing separate companies to handle publishing, merchandising and touring – which made The Stones one of the richest bands in history”

The evolution and management of FrontlineSMS can also be broken down into three phases:

Technology innovation
Organisational innovation
Business model innovation

As The Stones example demonstrates, each phase requires a very different skill set, and it would take an extraordinary individual to be able to manage and deliver successfully on each. While I may have been the right person – in the right place at the right time at the very least – to successfully deliver on Phase One, that doesn’t mean I’m the right person for Phase Two, or Three. A large part of building a successful organisation is assembling a talented, diverse team with complementary skill sets. Identifying gaps and being honest about our own strengths and weaknesses is a large part of the process.

The social entrepreneurship sector, however, remains largely laser-focused on the innovator, the person behind Phase One. Recognising that organisations develop in phases, and have different needs at each, there needs to be a slight shift in how we view – and support – entrepreneurs and the vehicles or organisations they help create.

With this in mind, there might well be a few things the social entrepreneurship sector could learn from The Rolling Stones.

109 comments

1 Ken Banks { 07.12.11 at 11:40 am }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #mobile #innovation #socent
2 Oludotun Babayemi { 07.12.11 at 11:40 am }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #mobile #innovation #socent
3 Simpl { 07.12.11 at 11:43 am }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #mobile #innovation #socent
4 Fr@nthro { 07.12.11 at 11:52 am }: #anthro blog post: The Rolling Stones school of management innovation: What do the Rolling Stones and Frontli… http://clct.me/1fLtx
5 Bruce Burke { 07.12.11 at 11:52 am }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #mobile #innovation #socent
6 changefeed { 07.12.11 at 12:01 pm }: ->@kiwanja: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation http://bit.ly/qOilyK
7 Nick Temple { 07.12.11 at 12:06 pm }: RT @kiwanja: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #mobile #innovation #socent
8 SocialEntrepreneur { 07.12.11 at 12:13 pm }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #mobile #innova… http://bit.ly/qfvikb
9 Tony Colville { 07.12.11 at 12:20 pm }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #mobile #innova… http://bit.ly/qfvikb
10 Scott Goodstein { 07.12.11 at 12:26 pm }: Does this make @joshnesbit Keith Richards? “@kiwanja: What the social entrep sector might learn from The Rolling Stones: http://t.co/bxcr6ng
11 openinnovation { 07.12.11 at 12:42 pm }: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation | Build it Kenny, and they will come…: http://bit.ly/nrT9wv
12 SocialEntrepreneur { 07.12.11 at 12:46 pm }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #mobile #innova… http://bit.ly/r5ubNw
13 Jason Knobloch { 07.12.11 at 3:00 pm }: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation http://t.co/4vEhXDj
14 The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation | Global Health Hub { 07.12.11 at 3:25 pm }: [...] Read more: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation [...]
15 Ken Banks { 07.12.11 at 6:10 pm }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #socent #mobile #innovation
16 Liz { 07.12.11 at 6:17 pm }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #socent #mobile #innovation
17 Ivo Mortani (Movere) { 07.12.11 at 6:22 pm }: "what the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones": http://t.co/ezkDROH great post by @kiwanja #innovation
18 Anil Hasham { 07.12.11 at 6:31 pm }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #socent #mobile #innovation
19 Horacio Coutiño { 07.12.11 at 7:28 pm }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #socent #mobile #innovation
20 Alfredo Narvaez { 07.12.11 at 7:30 pm }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #socent #mobile #innovation
21 The Rolling Stones school of management innovation | Build it … « Management Fair { 07.12.11 at 7:53 pm }: [...] post: The Rolling Stones school of management innovation | Build it … Comments [...]
22 Guido Kerkhof { 07.12.11 at 8:11 pm }: "Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation": Lessons for the Social Entrepreneurship Sector http://t.co/wWktDqz RT @kiwanja #Innovation
23 Victor d'Allant { 07.13.11 at 12:57 am }: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship — @kiwanja http://is.gd/ACbG3s #socent #mobile
24 SocialEntrepreneur { 07.13.11 at 1:13 am }: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship — @kiwanja http://is.gd/ACbG3s #so… http://bit.ly/oOaKfp
25 socialedge { 07.13.11 at 1:44 am }: RT @dallant: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship — @kiwanja http://is.gd/ACbG3s #socent #mobile
26 蘇適（蘇軾的蘇，舒適的適） { 07.13.11 at 1:46 am }: 社会企业资讯。RT @socialedge @dallant:The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation&Social Entrepreneurship– @kiwanja http://is.gd/ACbG3s
27 Law for Change { 07.13.11 at 1:54 am }: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship http://t.co/VKL1uR6 @socialedge @dallant @kiwanja #socent #mobile
28 Law for Change { 07.13.11 at 1:55 am }: The Rolling Stones School of Mgmt Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship http://t.co/VKL1uR6 RT@socialedge @dallant @kiwanja #socent #mobile
29 SocialEntrepreneur { 07.13.11 at 2:20 am }: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship — @kiwanja http://is.gd/ACbG3s #so… http://bit.ly/rcsaiD
30 G2Deals { 07.13.11 at 2:26 am }: RT @dallant: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship — @kiwanja http://is.gd/ACbG3s #socent #mobile
31 WealthResearchLtd { 07.13.11 at 2:27 am }: RT @dallant: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship — @kiwanja http://is.gd/ACbG3s #socent #mobile
32 SchooltoCareer { 07.13.11 at 3:09 am }: RT @TopsyRT: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation http://t.co/BtShktw
33 Ashoka UK { 07.13.11 at 9:55 am }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #socent #mobile #innovation
34 Omidyar Network { 07.13.11 at 5:34 pm }: The Rolling Stones School of Management #Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship — @kiwanja http://is.gd/ACbG3s #socent #mobile @FrontlineSMS
35 ricard valls riera { 07.13.11 at 5:34 pm }: RT @dallant: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship — @kiwanja http://is.gd/ACbG3s #socent #mobile
36 Frank Bonsal III { 07.13.11 at 5:38 pm }: The Rolling Stones School of Management #Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship — @kiwanja http://is.gd/ACbG3s #socent #mobile @FrontlineSMS
37 Virgilia Singh { 07.13.11 at 5:39 pm }: The Rolling Stones School of Management #Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship — @kiwanja http://is.gd/ACbG3s
38 Ashley Ellis { 07.13.11 at 5:43 pm }: RT @VirgiliaSingh The Rolling Stones School of Management #Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship — @kiwanja http://t.co/W7caB0i @Mizzle_JBC
39 SocialEntrepreneur { 07.13.11 at 6:05 pm }: The Rolling Stones School of Management #Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship — @kiwanja http://is.gd/ACbG3s #s… http://bit.ly/p3iiZj
40 SocialEntrepreneur { 07.13.11 at 6:05 pm }: The Rolling Stones School of Management #Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship — @kiwanja http://is.gd/ACbG3s: T… http://bit.ly/qKXCot
41 SocialEntrepreneur { 07.13.11 at 7:11 pm }: The Rolling Stones School of Management #Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship — @kiwanja http://is.gd/ACbG3s: T… http://bit.ly/oWYakO
42 Laura Walker Hudson { 07.14.11 at 5:07 am }: RT @OmidyarNetwork The Rolling Stones School of Managemnt #Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship – @kiwanja http://is.gd/ACbG3s @FrontlineSMS
43 Katherine Lucey { 07.14.11 at 5:13 am }: briliant RT @kiwanja What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #socent #innovation
44 Ursula Stephens { 07.14.11 at 5:55 am }: briliant RT @kiwanja What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #socent #innovation
45 INNODEV { 07.14.11 at 7:50 am }: briliant RT @kiwanja What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #socent #innovation
46 Josep Maria Miró { 07.14.11 at 7:53 am }: RT @TopsyRT: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation http://t.co/yfsC5Qc #socent
47 Josep Maria Miró { 07.14.11 at 7:54 am }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #socent #mobile #innovation
48 Elmira Bayrasli { 07.14.11 at 9:47 am }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #socent #mobile #innovation
49 Alex Hardie { 07.14.11 at 9:53 am }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #socent #mobile #innovation
50 Roger James Hamilton { 07.14.11 at 10:11 am }: RT @JosepMiro @TopsyRT: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation http://t.co/1zw4NDD #socent
51 Peace Dividend Trust { 07.14.11 at 1:01 pm }: RT @kiwanja What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #socent #mobile #innovation
52 Kitty Hawke { 07.14.11 at 11:16 pm }: The Rolling Stones school of management innovation | Build it …: What do the Rolling Stones and FrontlineSMS h… http://bit.ly/rdwTJh
53 SocialUniverseBuzz! { 07.14.11 at 11:25 pm }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #socent #mobile #innovation
54 Daniel Arlt { 07.15.11 at 7:25 am }: The Rolling Stones school of management innovation | Build it …: What do the Rolling Stones and FrontlineSMS h… http://bit.ly/oaQgws
55 Paul Polak and team { 07.15.11 at 5:00 pm }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s via @kiwanja
56 News On The Cloud { 07.15.11 at 5:01 pm }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s via @kiwanja
57 SandySkees { 07.15.11 at 5:01 pm }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s via @kiwanja
58 SocialEntrepreneur { 07.15.11 at 5:02 pm }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s via @kiwanja: W… http://bit.ly/q5gxjB
59 Blair Hickman { 07.15.11 at 5:05 pm }: Obvious point, but often forgotten. RT @OutofPoverty: What businesses might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s via @kiwanja
60 Alan Simon { 07.15.11 at 5:10 pm }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s via @kiwanja
61 Tasha Gallegos { 07.15.11 at 5:15 pm }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s via @kiwanja
62 SocialEntrepreneur { 07.15.11 at 5:35 pm }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s via @kiwanja: W… http://bit.ly/oJJMSB
63 SocialEntrepreneur { 07.15.11 at 5:35 pm }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s via @kiwanja: W… http://bit.ly/ohUd6d
64 Diversity in Soc Ent { 07.15.11 at 5:46 pm }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s via @kiwanja: W… http://bit.ly/q5gxjB
65 SocialEntrepreneur { 07.15.11 at 6:07 pm }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s via @kiwanja: W… http://bit.ly/mRLlcw
66 Andy Milligan { 07.15.11 at 9:00 pm }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s via @kiwanja
67 MIX { 07.16.11 at 1:45 am }: RT @OutofPoverty: What businesses might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s via @kiwanja
68 Jeffrey Newman { 07.16.11 at 8:30 am }: RT @OutofPoverty: What businesses might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s via @kiwanja
69 Luis Berastain { 07.16.11 at 10:55 am }: RT @hackmanagement RT @OutofPoverty: What businesses might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s via @kiwanja #projecta21
70 Weekly Roundup: TEDGlobal, Big Society In The UK, and Google+...++ | Dowser { 07.16.11 at 3:18 pm }: [...] a fun one to send you off: Kiwanja of Frontline SMS points out that social enterprises could take a few lessons from The Rolling Stones. Categories: News and Ideas, Weekly [...]
71 Weekly Roundup: TEDGlobal, Big Society In The UK, and Google+…++ | Freelance and Blogger Jobs World { 07.16.11 at 6:48 pm }: [...] a fun one to send you off: Kiwanja of Frontline SMS points out that social enterprises could take a few lessons from The Rolling [...]
72 miraj khaled { 07.16.11 at 9:00 pm }: RT @hackmanagement: RT @OutofPoverty: What businesses might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s via @kiwanja #socent
73 TechChange { 07.18.11 at 3:08 pm }: Wow this is awesome: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation http://j.mp/n8Wklp #ICT4D
74 Fiona Bradley { 07.18.11 at 3:10 pm }: Wow this is awesome: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation http://j.mp/n8Wklp #ICT4D
75 Taylor Thomander { 07.18.11 at 3:30 pm }: Wow this is awesome: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation http://j.mp/n8Wklp #ICT4D
76 happy toy machine { 07.18.11 at 3:36 pm }: Wow this is awesome: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation http://j.mp/n8Wklp #ICT4D
77 Heather LaGarde { 07.18.11 at 3:49 pm }: Wow this is awesome: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation http://j.mp/n8Wklp #ICT4D
78 Kevin Franco { 07.18.11 at 11:48 pm }: Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation http://t.co/C5RfWxH – Mick, Keith and Andrew taught me everything I know about branding.
79 Harambe Cameroon { 07.21.11 at 7:47 am }: briliant RT @kiwanja What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://is.gd/ACbG3s #socent #innovation
80 Alphachimp Studio { 10.15.11 at 3:19 am }: Talked with @kiwanja about organizational development. Suggested @TopsyRT: The Rolling Stones School of Mgt. Innovation http://t.co/Ei8R61wq
81 Visualizing Social Innovation « Monkey Mind { 10.15.11 at 3:53 am }: [...] scaling up for real impact. He referred me to a blog post of his that has gotten some attention: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation. LD_AddCustomAttr("AdOpt", "1"); LD_AddCustomAttr("Origin", "other"); [...]
82 C.line Brandicourt { 10.15.11 at 6:51 pm }: RT @TopsyRT: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation http://t.co/evxaVkv1
83 Ken Banks { 12.08.11 at 9:30 am }: One of my favourite posts of the year. "The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation". http://t.co/bpMN2IKO #socent
84 Brad Jones { 12.08.11 at 9:32 am }: One of my favourite posts of the year. "The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation". http://t.co/bpMN2IKO #socent
85 Irene Becker { 12.08.11 at 9:40 am }: One of my favourite posts of the year. "The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation". http://t.co/bpMN2IKO #socent
86 Andy Narracott { 12.08.11 at 11:05 am }: "building a successful organisation is assembling a talented, diverse team with complementary skill sets" @kiwanja http://t.co/RCjHw4fe
87 adele_b { 12.08.11 at 11:25 am }: One of my favourite posts of the year. "The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation". http://t.co/bpMN2IKO #socent
88 Trina DasGupta { 12.08.11 at 2:49 pm }: RT @kiwanja What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://t.co/oYyd0wUo #mobile #innovation #socent
89 socialedge { 12.08.11 at 5:31 pm }: Must read: "The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation" by @kiwanja http://t.co/bwImoB16 #socent
90 Campus MFI { 12.08.11 at 5:35 pm }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://t.co/KCic2eVO #mobile #innovation #socent
91 Give a Damn { 12.08.11 at 5:36 pm }: What the social entrepreneurship sector might learn from The Rolling Stones. http://t.co/HYLUAqF0 http://t.co/OLj97ZPd #vgiveadamn
92 Ny Whitaker { 12.08.11 at 5:46 pm }: Must read: "The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation" by @kiwanja http://t.co/bwImoB16 #socent
93 Jonathan Joseph { 12.08.11 at 5:47 pm }: Must read: "The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation" by @kiwanja http://t.co/bwImoB16 #socent
94 janellegibson { 12.08.11 at 5:48 pm }: Must read: "The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation" by @kiwanja http://t.co/bwImoB16 #socent
95 Mark R. { 12.08.11 at 6:00 pm }: Must read: "The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation" by @kiwanja http://t.co/bwImoB16 #socent
96 Elvis Choruma { 12.08.11 at 6:37 pm }: RT @socialedge: Must read: "The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation" by @kiwanja http://t.co/Xu6xDZRY #socent
97 Agil Projektledare { 12.08.11 at 6:57 pm }: RT @TopsyRT: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation http://t.co/mFrpYxxK
98 Agil Projektledare { 12.08.11 at 6:58 pm }: One of my favourite posts of the year. "The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation". http://t.co/bpMN2IKO #socent
99 Jorge Burgos { 12.08.11 at 7:38 pm }: RT @TopsyRT: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation http://t.co/7v5BBxXp
100 Alpha lewis { 12.09.11 at 2:11 am }: 'Thinking outside the box' can be considered maverick. Creating your own profit making reality, now that's rock… http://t.co/BXElbHxv
101 Ken Banks { 05.14.12 at 8:44 pm }: Re-reading my "Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation" post. Still one of my favourites. http://t.co/bpMN2IKO #socent
102 Ken Banks { 05.14.12 at 8:59 pm }: Re-visiting my "Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation" post. Still one of my favourites. http://t.co/bpMN2IKO #socent
103 Laura Walker Hudson { 05.14.12 at 9:17 pm }: Re-visiting my "Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation" post. Still one of my favourites. http://t.co/bpMN2IKO #socent
104 Ned Breslin { 05.15.12 at 12:57 pm }: Love @kiwanja "Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation" post, have an alternative coming #punk http://t.co/WUdiaUDZ #socent
105 Ken Banks { 05.15.12 at 12:59 pm }: @NedBreslin Thanks, Ned. Glad you like it. Looking forward to reading your #punk alternative! http://t.co/bpMN2IKO #innovation
106 A transition announcement from our Founder, Ken Banks : FrontlineSMS { 05.29.12 at 3:20 pm }: [...] new set of skills to take it to the next level. In one of my favourite blog posts – ” The Rolling Stones School of Innovation Management” – I wrote about how the Rolling Stones needed three different managers over the course [...]
107 Innovation: Beyond technology. | Build it Kenny, and they will come... { 06.07.12 at 1:26 pm }: [...] important announcements in the near-seven year history of FrontlineSMS. As I hinted in my “Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation” post last December, I only felt able to take the project to a certain level and that it [...]
108 Silvia Giovannoni { 06.22.12 at 2:35 pm }: Thanks for this Ken! Awesome post @TopsyRT: The Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation http://t.co/pxKg0zHO
109 Ashoka Ireland { 06.22.12 at 4:09 pm }: Rolling Stones School of Management Innovation: http://t.co/0v7YfeCF #socent