--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Innovation is not a big breakthrough…" description: "\"Innovation is not a big breakthrough invention every time. Innovation is a constant thing. But if you don't have an innovative company [team], coming t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ed/jack-welch-1195_always-trying_innovation-is-not-a-big-breakthrough-inv_111877.jpg" --- # Innovation is not a big breakthrough invention every time… ![“Innovation is not a big breakthrough invention every time. Innovation is a constant thing. But if you don't have an innovative company [team], coming to work everyday to find a better way, you don't have a company[team]. You're getting ready to die on the vine. You're always looking for the next…” quote by Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ed/jack-welch-1195_always-trying_innovation-is-not-a-big-breakthrough-inv_111877.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ed/jack-welch-1195_always-trying_innovation-is-not-a-big-breakthrough-inv_111877.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ed/jack-welch-1195_always-trying_innovation-is-not-a-big-breakthrough-inv_111877.jpg) > “Innovation is not a big breakthrough invention every time. Innovation is a constant thing. But if you don't have an innovative company \[team\], coming to work everyday to find a better way, you don't have a company\[team\]. You're getting ready to die on the vine. You're always looking for the next innovation, the next niche, the next product improvement, the next service improvement. But always trying to get better.” [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Innovation is portrayed as an ongoing, incremental effort rather than occasional breakthroughs; without a culture of continual improvement, an organization risks stagnation and decline. **In simple terms:** Innovation must be constant, not occasional. Key Takeaway Continuous improvement sustains organizational vitality. Themes innovation continuous improvement organizational health culture Mood motivational urgent Type leadership advice business philosophy When to use this quote - team retrospectives - product development cycles - startup growth strategies Key Concepts incremental vs disruptive change leadership accountability Practical Applications - Implement daily idea‑sharing sessions - Reward small, measurable improvements Questions to Reflect On - How can a company balance incremental tweaks with breakthrough projects? - What signs indicate innovation fatigue? A Different Perspective Over‑emphasis on constant change can cause burnout and dilute focus on strategic goals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Always trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always-trying/) [Better way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-way/) [Better ways](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-ways/) [Big break](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-break/) [Bigs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigs/) [Breakthrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breakthrough/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Constant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constant/) [Dies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dies/) [Everyday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/everyday/) [Get better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/get-better/) [Getting Ready](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting-ready/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Improvement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/improvement/) [Innovation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovation/) [Innovation Big](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovation-big-1326727/) [Innovation Constant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovation-constant-1326726/) [Innovation Niche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovation-niche-1326729/) [Innovative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovative/) [Innovative Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovative-company-712279/) [Invention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invention/) [Looking Innovation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looking-innovation-1326728/) [Next](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/next/) [Niche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/niche/) [Products](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/products/) [Ready](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ready/) [Ready to die](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ready-to-die/) [Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Vines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vines/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [Business model innovation is constant in this economy. You start with a vision of a platform. For a while, you think there's a line…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-comstock/business-model-innovation-is-constant-in-this-economy-you-start-with/) [Beth Comstock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-comstock/) > [“Innovation Big pain, no shame being same-to-same”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/praveen-kumar/innovation-big-pain-no-shame-being-same-to-same/) [Praveen Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/praveen-kumar/) > [It's been invigorating being back on the West Coast, being at Alphabet, because there is so much innovation. And the big challenge is, how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-porat/it-s-been-invigorating-being-back-on-the-west-coast-being-at-alphabet/) [Ruth Porat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-porat/) > [Innovation is a big risk. It can also be a big reward - but a big punishment if you fail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cage/innovation-is-a-big-risk-it-can-also-be-a-big-reward-but-a-big/) [David Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cage/) > [“We kind of missed the boat on that," he recalled. " So we needed to catch up real fast." The mark of an innovative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-isaacson/we-kind-of-missed-the-boat-on-that-he-recalled-so-we-needed-to-catch/) [Walter Isaacson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-isaacson/) > [You sometimes have a very innovative company, and if they come up with one idea, they can come up with many more - if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lonnie-johnson/you-sometimes-have-a-very-innovative-company-and-if-they-come-up-with/) [Lonnie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lonnie-johnson/) > [The mark of an innovative company is not only that it comes up with new ideas first, but also that it knows how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-mark-of-an-innovative-company-is-not-only-that-it-comes-up-with/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The second you get set in your ways is the second a newer, fresher, more innovative company is going to come in and take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hollis/the-second-you-get-set-in-your-ways-is-the-second-a-newer-fresher/) [Rachel Hollis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hollis/) > [“It is never an idea, technology, market forces, or access to capital that makes a company innovative. What differentiates an innovative company from an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jag-randhawa/it-is-never-an-idea-technology-market-forces-or-access-to-capital/) [Jag Randhawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jag-randhawa/) > [Big breaks come from small fractures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kapelos/big-breaks-come-from-small-fractures/) [John Kapelos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kapelos/) > [It might sound cliched, but choosing the right script is crucial. I think 'Badmaash Company' was a very big break for me because it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vir-das/it-might-sound-cliched-but-choosing-the-right-script-is-crucial-i/) [Vir Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vir-das/) > [I never had a single big break - because few do online.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-higa/i-never-had-a-single-big-break-because-few-do-online/) [Ryan Higa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-higa/) > [My big break down here was working with Steven Spielberg in '1941.' It was a very small role, as Corporal Foley, who was part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-candy/my-big-break-down-here-was-working-with-steven-spielberg-in-1941-it/) [John Candy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-candy/) > [I got my big break in the semi-final as a young kid against Real Madrid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-hargreaves/i-got-my-big-break-in-the-semi-final-as-a-young-kid-against-real/) [Owen Hargreaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-hargreaves/) > [“You think I’m sixteen, so I don’t know what love is, right?” She shakes her head, sad smile on again. “Sometimes I wonder if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swati-avasthi/you-think-i-m-sixteen-so-i-don-t-know-what-love-is-right-she-shakes/) [Swati Avasthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swati-avasthi/) ## More by Jack Welch > [When the amount of change externally exceeds the amount of change internally, the end is in sight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/when-the-amount-of-change-externally-exceeds-the-amount-of-change/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [I think the move by Mr. Greenspan was welcomed by everyone here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/i-think-the-move-by-mr-greenspan-was-welcomed-by-everyone-here/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [Take lack of candor. ... I'm not talking about boldface lying, but a tendency to withhold information. That behavior is far more common, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/take-lack-of-candor-i-m-not-talking-about-boldface-lying-but-a/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [Failing to differentiate among employees — and holding on to bottom-tier performers — is actually the cruelest form of management there is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/failing-to-differentiate-among-employees-and-holding-on-to-bottom/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [We know where most of the creativity, the innovation, the stuff that drives productivity lies - in the minds of those closest to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/we-know-where-most-of-the-creativity-the-innovation-the-stuff-that/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [Simple messages travel faster, simpler designs reach the market faster and the elimination of clutter allows faster decision making.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/simple-messages-travel-faster-simpler-designs-reach-the-market-faster/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [So every time you think about your work-life balance issue, remember what your boss is thinking about - and that's winning. Your needs may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/so-every-time-you-think-about-your-work-life-balance-issue-remember/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [Wright is a visionary with a great strategic mind, and he's a strong business leader with outstanding people skills, ... He's a terrific guy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/wright-is-a-visionary-with-a-great-strategic-mind-and-he-s-a-strong/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [In order to lead a country or a company, you've got to get everybody on the same page and you've got to be able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/in-order-to-lead-a-country-or-a-company-you-ve-got-to-get-everybody/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [Real communication is an attitude, an environment. It is the most interactive of all processes. It requires countless hours of eyeball to eyeball, back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/real-communication-is-an-attitude-an-environment-it-is-the-most/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [No one is doing something in your business - getting a sale, having a key customer, working on an R&D project - doing anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/no-one-is-doing-something-in-your-business-getting-a-sale-having-a/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [Some people have better ideas than others; some are smarter or more experienced or more creative. But everyone should be heard and respected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/some-people-have-better-ideas-than-others-some-are-smarter-or-more/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [Shareholder value is a result, not a strategy . . . Your main constituencies are your employees, your customers and your products.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/shareholder-value-is-a-result-not-a-strategy-your-main-constituencies/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [The essence of competitiveness is liberated when we make people believe that what they think and do is important - and then get out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/the-essence-of-competitiveness-is-liberated-when-we-make-people/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [Face reality as it is, not as it was or as you wish it to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/face-reality-as-it-is-not-as-it-was-or-as-you-wish-it-to-be/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) [Explore all 275 Jack Welch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) ## More Always trying quotes > [I'm always trying to have a good time on set because that's when things happen. That's when you're playful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sarandon/i-m-always-trying-to-have-a-good-time-on-set-because-that-s-when/) [Susan Sarandon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sarandon/) > [I think we're always trying to push ourselves to do new things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaime-preciado/i-think-we-re-always-trying-to-push-ourselves-to-do-new-things/) [Jaime Preciado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaime-preciado/) > [I'm always trying to remember that kindness goes a long, long way. I think that's something that people will definitely take out of this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stuhlbarg/i-m-always-trying-to-remember-that-kindness-goes-a-long-long-way-i/) [Michael Stuhlbarg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stuhlbarg/) > [I like embracing kind of normal forms but am always trying to approach them as if no one's ever done that before. As if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/i-like-embracing-kind-of-normal-forms-but-am-always-trying-to/) [Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) > [I'm always trying to change things - change my character, change my look, change my hair, change my facial hair, change my costumes, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-jericho/i-m-always-trying-to-change-things-change-my-character-change-my-look/) [Chris Jericho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-jericho/) > [I believe in believing. My coach John Kavanagh is a big atheist, and he is always trying to persuade people to his way of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcgregor/i-believe-in-believing-my-coach-john-kavanagh-is-a-big-atheist-and-he/) [Conor McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcgregor/) > [My body and its condition are a barometer that is always trying to tell me which direction to go for my maximum creativity, health…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiane-northrup/my-body-and-its-condition-are-a-barometer-that-is-always-trying-to/) [Christiane Northrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiane-northrup/) > [I'm always trying to do something active because I love it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-agdal/i-m-always-trying-to-do-something-active-because-i-love-it/) [Nina Agdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-agdal/) > [I'm always trying to encourage people not to limit themselves in the same way that many of our parents stayed with one job forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-brownstein/i-m-always-trying-to-encourage-people-not-to-limit-themselves-in-the/) [Carrie Brownstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-brownstein/) > [My thing was always trying to do as much as I possibly could do. I wanted to do all the things the other kids…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/my-thing-was-always-trying-to-do-as-much-as-i-possibly-could-do-i/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) > [I think those of us who use language are always trying for this, trying to keep everything from floating away by trying to write…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-ronk/i-think-those-of-us-who-use-language-are-always-trying-for-this/) [Martha Ronk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-ronk/) > [Your parents were always trying to get you to be careful when you were a kid, and that's all pervasive in this society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-weir/your-parents-were-always-trying-to-get-you-to-be-careful-when-you/) [Bob Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-weir/) > [I would not call myself an optimist, even though I would aspire to be. I am innately a skeptic. There's kind of an incessant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-brownstein/i-would-not-call-myself-an-optimist-even-though-i-would-aspire-to-be/) [Carrie Brownstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-brownstein/) > [They say that to be a writer you must first have an unhappy childhood. I don't know if unhappiness is necessary, but I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-rylant/they-say-that-to-be-a-writer-you-must-first-have-an-unhappy-childhood/) [Cynthia Rylant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-rylant/) > [I was that overachieving, annoying kid who was always trying to win some contest or win the role. I look back on it now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-elizabeth-winstead/i-was-that-overachieving-annoying-kid-who-was-always-trying-to-win/) [Mary Elizabeth Winstead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-elizabeth-winstead/) [Browse all 232 Always trying quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always-trying/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Innovation is not a big breakthrough invention every time. Innovation is a constant thing. But if you don't have an innovative company [team], coming to work everyday to find a better way, you don't have a company[team]. You're getting ready to die on the vine. You're always looking for the next innovation, the next niche, the next product improvement, the next service improvement. 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