The Idea Blog

This morning’s dose of Thomas Friedman is one that perfectly captures what product innovation is all about. He frames it within the Detroit bailout story:

“Over the years, Detroit bosses kept repeating: ‘We have to make the cars people want.’ That’s why they’re in trouble. Their job is to make the cars people don’t know they want but will buy like crazy when they see them. I would have been happy with my Sony Walkman had Apple not invented the iPod. Now I can’t live without my iPod. I didn’t know I wanted it, but Apple did. Same with my Toyota hybrid.”

Innovation and consistency are the keys to a brand’s success. American automakers are notorious in their lack of both. But Friedman’s column this morning isn’t about branding or innovation. It’s about what Obama has to do on three key fronts once he assumes office.