The Department of Small Details
I just watched this interesting talk about how small things (things that cost very little) can have disproportional effects. This may have something to do with why small companies can out-perform large ones. When you have tons of money, you tend toward more expensive solutions to problems; sort of a “when the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail” problem.
Sure some things need the hammer (or tons of cash), but many things don’t; they might need a screwdriver, wrench, tape, or glue. Think of all the best innovations: the car, the telephone, the airplane. Many times they are just combinations of ideas already around put together in an innovative way.
The Wright Brothers were up against people with more money, more experience, and bigger teams, and yet, working mostly by themselves, they managed to become famous for building the first practical fixed-wing aircraft. Whereas, here are two names that are not as famous, but threw a lot more money at the problem:
- Samuel Langley: “In 1898, based on the success of his models, Langley received a War Department grant of $50,000 and $20,000 from the Smithsonian to develop a piloted airplane, which he called an “Aerodrome” ….The engine, mostly the technical work of men other than Langley, was probably the project’s main contribution to aviation”
- Hiram Maxim: “Commencing work in 1889, he built a 145’ long craft that weighed 3.5 tons, with a 110’ wingspan that was powered by two compound 360 horsepower (270 kW) steam engines driving two propellers. In trials at Bexley in 1894 his machine rode on 1800’ of rails and was prevented from rising by outriggers underneath and wooden safety rails overhead, somewhat in the manner of a roller coaster.”
Most of the parts for creating an aircraft already existed at the point the Wright brothers were perfecting flight (the engine, the wings), and yet many others with more money, and all the skills and experience necessary, abandoned their projects. Perhaps they overlooked the “small detail” of practical flight which the Wright brothers invented; the ability to control the airplane.
Does this mean you should ignore any solutions that cost money? Maybe. In his talk, Rory Sutherland, mentions that we need people with all the power, but not money, what I’m calling the “Department of Small Details.” It doesn’t need to be a department, if you’re in a small company with no VC, its your whole company. In fact, if you’re in a large company, it can still be your whole company. You just need to allow and encourage everyone to submit ideas, and if they don’t cost anything, but they’re good ideas, implement them! (easy said than done)
