It’s romantic to call innovation an act of rebellion against established systems but it’s not.
Innovation is an act of pure giving, an act that puts others ahead of themselves this is because innovation is not about breaking a system but rather ensuring everyone is recognized and be able to participate in society efficiently. And it takes being other-centered to see the needs of others.
Low cost housing, Ford’s production system are examples of how innovation works for the benefit of the people.
The trend in the past few decades, not just in education, is to break things apart and become an expert in a specific field. This idea has led to the emergence of numerous experts with specializations. When it comes to education, particularly in entrepreneurship, one must excel at identifying and driving innovation. As a result, there are now hundreds of frameworks available on innovation, including the Lean Startup, Business Model Canvas, and Design Thinking, to name a few. These methods have generated countless innovative ideas, ranging from new products to branding. However, innovative ideas cannot thrive on their own. Innovation requires an environment with a support system that starts at the grassroots level.
Nobel Prize winner Edmund Phelps introduced the term “Dynamism” to describe his perspective. According to Phelps, the high level of innovation in the Western world is not solely the result of scientific discoveries combined with entrepreneurship, as believed by Schumpeter. Instead, it is primarily driven by modern values such as individualism, vitalism, and self-expression at the grassroots level. In addition to these values, there must also be problems to solve, as well as support from the government and financial institutions. This comprehensive system is what creates dynamism.
Looking at our country, we see that many people are engaged in business but may not necessarily be entrepreneurial. However, this is not a problem, as a business can become entrepreneurial once the founder applies the principles of innovation. The actual problem lies in the lack of avenues for growth due to an underdeveloped ecosystem. Many people in business are more focused on survival rather than solving market problems. There are also few financial institutions willing to take risks on startups, and business ideation tends to involve copying successful businesses rather than addressing market needs.
Dynamism should not be viewed as a chicken or egg problem with no clear starting point. Efforts to drive dynamism should begin with government initiatives. A prime example is South Korea, which successfully created a global market for its entertainment industry through government lending and substantial investments.
Innovation, and the study thereof, cannot exist in isolation. For it to grow and flourish, it requires an environment that supports it.
Entrepreneurs are unique, but what makes entrepreneurs distinct from others? Answering this question will help us understand the nature of entrepreneurs. It can also help us learn why starting is second nature to them.
There are different types of entrepreneurs, just like there are different types of doctors, lawyers, and teachers, but each profession has its own unique character. For the entrepreneur there are 6 areas:
The entrepreneur is creative. They have the ability to connect unrelated ideas to form one great idea. This capacity allows them to do things differently and see things from a different light. The creative capacity comes from the nature of the discipline: free to think and play with ideas, allowing them to be creative. It is the only discipline not bound by rules, procedures, and systems.
The entrepreneur is a problem solver. Entrepreneurs will always have a solution to a problem and often the solution is innovative. The capacity to solve problems allows them to pioneer an industry and be ahead of others.
The entrepreneur has strong faith. They have the capacity to move without seeing the road ahead clearly. It is the self-confidence, optimism, and strong belief in their idea that allows them to take risks. This ability is what makes them a cult-like figure because not many can envision and take action.
Other-centered. The entrepreneur finds inspiration solving the problems of others rather than just trying to fulfill their own needs. Being other-centered allows them to uncover and discover unserved and underserved markets.
Action-oriented. Entrepreneurs take action and that is what they really are, they start and act upon something. Even the origin of the word entrepreneur comes from the French word entreprende which means to undertake.
Capacity to profit from innovative ways. At the end of the day, the entrepreneur is a businessman who needs to sustain the business and his family and the entrepreneur is one who is capable in creating wealth from innovative ways.
These 6 domains are always, present. There maybe more in the future, but certainly cannot be less than 6.
Patience is a virtue. This is what we were taught all our lives and it has its benefits, one of which is that patience allow us to learn to wait, which lessens our worry when things take time.
But patience is not my strongest suit. I am a person who wants to see results right away, I want to be able to think, visualize and try them out soonest possible. However having this trait often leads me to off-the-gut decisions, and often these decisions can be disastrous. But for entrepreneurs, decision making, a quick one, is a virtue.
In entrepreneurship, everything moves by faith, because results, which you do not know, does not come unless you start them. And so decision making, a decisive and quick one is of highest importance as it get things moving. But let me make it clear that quick decision making is not about making reckless, carless, neglectful and irresponsible decision but rather, one that has gone through reasonable considerations of the pros and cons as well as commitment to making adjustments along the way until desired results are achieved.
Decision means starting things the way one would pick up a book and start reading. The way Steve Jobs told Wozniak to sell computers, rather than give off the blue print for free. The way Matsushita tinkered with battery and lights. They way Gates and Allen started with only a computer and garage. In short, decision making is a yes and action, that makes decision making driven by faith rather than data.
So, yes, it is alright to be impatient as an entrepreneur because it get things moving.
Just one hour from the bustling city of Barcelona is the breathtaking Mount Montserrat, a place where nature’s grandeur harmonizes with spiritual enlightenment.
Montserrat
From top, looking down
Nestled atop the serrated mountain is Montserrat Basilica, a significant religious attraction drawing pilgrims from different parts of Europe and the rest of the world. Constructed in the 1500s, the church is of Gothic architecture adorned with touches of renaissance design. Unfortunately, it suffered heavily during the Peninsular War but was then given due treatment when it was reconstructed after the Spanish Civil War.
Basilica
The presence of the Black Madonna, or the Moreneta which is how they call it in Spain is the main reason people come to visit the Basilica of Montserrat. Many agree that the Madonna has healing powers and thousands of miracles has been credited to her. Thought there is no known origin of the statue, it is believed that the Moreneta has been carved in Jerusalem at the beginning of religion. And the reason it is black is because the wood has darkened over time. In 1844, Pope Leo XIII declared the Black Madonna to be the patron saint of Catalonia, making it even more important to the people of Spain.
The Black Madonna
The lady is well loved by saints. In March 25, 1522, Ignatius of Loyola visited the Benedictine monastery of Montserrat upon his recovery from battle wounds. This is the place where he laid down his military paraphernalia before the lady’s image. Another is St. Escriva who often visited the image during the 1940s and even more in 1946, the year of his move to Rome. On April 27, 1954, on the feast of the lady of Montserrat, after having suffered diabetes for 10 years, and following an anaphylactic shock from wrong dose of insulin, he was fully healed. The saint’s doctor was astonished since most cases of insulin reaction are fatal.
Our group lined up along the right side of the church for the 130pm visit even if we arrived 2 hours earlier. The delay was not caused by long lines of people but unmet expectations, miscommunication caused by misrepresentation that annoyed me greatly since a lot of time was wasted. Anyway, it is a paid visit inside the church and the amount depends on areas you want to visit. As we entered, we were greeted by the atrium of the basilica, also known as atrium of Abbot Argerich. It’s white marble floor with inscriptions in Latin was inspired by Rome’s Capitolium, designed by Michaelangelo. Looking up from the atrium you will see the facade of the church with Jesus and the 12 apostles.
Atrium
As we entered the right hall, statues of Saints welcomed us. After a few steps we found ourselves going up to the second floor and along its walls are vibrant mosaics of important Catholic figures. There was a bit of a traffic along the way as people paid their respects to the Black Madonna. A few minutes into the line, we reached the room where the Madonna is, said some prayers and took photos to remember the moment. A 180 degree turn from the Madonna, you will see the whole of the Basilica from birds eye view. Pews are dotted with people praying, and some walking along the isle to document their visit. Along the sides of church you will find candle chandeliers representative of Catalan jewelry-making after the Spanish civil war, donated by Catalan towns and associations.
After the short prayer, we went down the stairs only to find ourselves, which to me is the most beautiful part of the basilica, the chapel behind the Black Madonna. The majestic circular space, surrounded by colorful stained glass windows, an embodiment of God’s beauty and perfection is spiritually inviting, a direct call from the divine.
Chandelier
Before we reached the atrium to end the visit, we had to pass through the side of the basilica, a space lit with candles contained in different colors, symbolic of hundreds of prayer and praises from people grateful for having seen and touched the divine in the beauty of the church, the truth in the feeling of God’s presence and the goodness of Moreneta.
Panorama 