But innovation is about creating something new that doesn't yet exist. R&D depends on mistakes, failures and ah ha moments. There are many famous every day items that were mistakes. I once worked at a company whose researchers were investigating the properties of the various creatures of the sea to see what benefits these properties could have. I was fascinated. Was the iPod really the solution to a problem of cost efficiency?
On the other hand, many companies have failed when the entire company continues run as if it is only an R&D shop, even though it is now in revenue production. Once you have brought something to market, you have an obligation to be as efficient and effective as possible in your production.
It's possible that in an industry such as banking or insurance, you could use Six Sigma throughout, because people aren't really that comfortable with radical changes in the way their money is managed.
But in any company that wants to experience growth through new ideas, one segment of the company must be left to develop utilizing a different methodology. It will be interesting to see if 3M maintains some of the process discipline of Six Sigma while re-introducing 'growth and innovation' into the company.
