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Research and Innovation
September 10th, 2013
by Bill Boyajian

I’m not against research, but I’m perplexed by the often-quoted, late Steve Jobs. When asked how much research was done to guide Apple on the introduction of the iPad, he famously quipped, “None. It isn’t the consumers job to know what they want. It’s hard for [consumers] to tell you what they want when they’ve never seen anything remotely like it.”

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There are many other examples of wildly successful innovations: Federal Express by Fred Smith, Amazon.com by Jeff Bezos, and Starbucks by Howard Schultz, to name just a few. Doubters abounded in each case. While some might question the value of pure research, none would question the value of doing your homework, developing a strong business plan, and considering a multiple of scenarios – both good and bad – for any new innovative business.

It’s one thing to think up a new, creative business strategy. It’s quite another to execute on it with the success of a Jobs, Smith, Bezos, or Schultz. Even though the jewelry industry so often seems behind the times, the next great innovation may be just around the corner. Look carefully; it may already exist.



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Managing Partner,
Levy’s Fine Jewelry
Birmingham, AL

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Leitzel Fine Jewelry
Hershey & Myerstown, PA

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Kizer-Cummings Jewelers
Lawrence, KS