On Innovation and Technology

The flaw of virtually all books on business is that the author, largely driven by the patience span of his or her readers, is ever fixated on providing short prepackaged solutions to complex business issues: Ten easy steps to buying real estate, how to get rich in 30 days, financial analysis for "dummies, everything you ever wanted to know about business in 30 pages, etc. We, as a society, have the collective patience of a tick and we are ever searching for a cliff notes version to each and every challenge or problem in our life.

As it relates to mastering business (at least technology and application of innovative business solutions to existing industries) the answer, much to the dismay of readers, is neither prepackaged, nor simple, nor guaranteed. In fact, many of the greatest assets and tools that should come out of this book and the lessons that are embedded within its text, are nothing more than additional questions and series of tools that will hone the pessimistic side of your brain. Because in the end, the fundamental premise of this book is that there are no quick solutions, no fast and easy secrets to success, and no formulas for the avoiding the very essence of forward momentum that has propelled man since the dawn of time - hard work.

The other day I was captivated during my 23 minute morning tour on the elliptical machine by a man, not unlike most of his kind, who had developed 15 "strategies" for improving the quality of your relationships, achieving personal happiness, and making millions. The offer was simplistic: buy my book or tapes or whatever he was selling, listen to them and adhere to their rules, and you will be happier, thinner, richer - all within a matter of months.

The offer was intoxicating. The delivery was perfect and I even found myself about half convinced by the end that I should invest the money to see if there was any truth to all of this, but than I caught myself. I had to remind myself of the one of the basic business truths that I hold sacred. It is the first commandment in my arc: "nothing comes that easy in business".

I have been working like a dog for nearly 18 years and it is only now, after tremendous strife and failure, that I have come to understand the inherent logic of business and what the road might look like to achieve success. Only now after all that time and even now when we launch a new enterprise there is absolutely no guarantee. No sure thing.