Alternatives Quote by Tim Brown
“Most business processes are about making choices from a set of existing alternatives. Clearly, if all your competition is doing the same, then differentiation is tough. In order to innovate, we have to have new alternatives and new solutions to problems, and that is what design can do.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Change by Design by Tim Brown, 2009
Innovation requires creating new options rather than choosing among existing ones, because competition erodes differentiation.
In simple terms: Innovation needs new alternatives, not just existing choices.
Key Takeaway
Seek fresh solutions, not just existing.
Themes
innovation
design
competition
differentiation
Mood
strategic
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- product development
- business strategy
- marketing
- entrepreneurship
Key Concepts
design thinking
creative problem solving
strategic choice
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you generate truly novel alternatives?
- What barriers prevent you from exploring new solutions?
A Different Perspective
Existing alternatives may limit imagination; new ideas need resources.
![“[When asked how it felt to be a female prime minister:] I don't know: I've never experienced the alternative.” quote by Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/324/margaret-thatcher-463_alternatives_when-asked-how-it-felt-to-be-a-female-pr_15081.jpg)
