What identifies an "innovation at the verge" ?
I spent three hours in conversation on Coast to Coast AM radio show. We discussed exciting new technologies and other innovations at the verge. One of the listeners, Emily, sent me a question about what identifies an "innovation at the verge." Unfortunately, she didn't leave her full email address, so I am responding here, so everyone can benefit.
It is very simple:
Innovation at the verge is when two or more elements that are very different from one another are joined to create a single idea that solves problems the separate elements couldn't.
Here is an example I gave on the show: the fork lift that is also a weighing scale for Fed Ex. It is the combination of a forklift and a scale--two very different elements that, when combined, make Fed Ex more productive.