Innovation and the Role of the Institute
By Jordie Burton, TISGB Board Member
The Institute of Southern Georgian Bay exists to connect people, foster collaboration and conduct research that fuels innovation. With a focus on the early stages of innovation, TISGB looks closely at the roles of innovators and early adopters. Through the development of a regional network we connect and celebrate innovative people. We help to bring them together for opportunities of collaborative exploration.
We help to nurture innovative ideas through research support, publication and celebration. By bringing people together we can help to bring great ideas to more people and support the early adoption of new paradigms.
Our organization is volunteer and passion run. We understand our role to promote these early stages of innovation and through our network create support and funding opportunities for our partners. As great ideas begin to take root, we can continue to bring people, communities and others along until important ideas move from inception to majority adoption.
If you look at the chart below demonstrating the Diffusion of Innovation as explained by Everett Rogers, you can identify at least 5 areas that apply to the adoption of innovative solutions. Social change first begins with innovators. There are amazing ideas to help make the world better, but few of them gain enough traction to build momentum. When innovators have breakthroughs they rely on early adopters to help spread the word and give the idea or process some roots. All of this happens long before the majority understands the benefits of doing so. Eventually the early, then late majority of people adopt the innovation and it becomes a part of how we operate. There are so many examples of this to consider – but if you think solely about the use of electric vehicles you might imagine how this curve plays out.
We know that many operating businesses, not-for-profit organizations, townships, municipalities, and counties understand the ideal benefits of pursuing more environmentally and socially beneficial solutions. The reality is that many of these organizations do not have the time to invest or the funds to lead these conversations and projects. This is where TISGB plays an invaluable role – we have the willingness and ability to pursue these areas to the ultimate benefit of the organizations of Southern Georgian Bay.
As an independent organization we have the freedom, permission and responsibility to take on roles that many others cannot. The Institute of Southern Georgian Bay can support great and needed solutions that transcend borders and impact all of us. Our mission is to connect with innovators and support early adopters. If a great idea needs help to take roots, we believe we can support the needed growth.
Support of Innovation in action.
We are very excited about the launch of the Green Economy Hub Pilot Project. This project represents one of the ways that TISGB comes to life in supporting new ideas and processes in support of a greener, healthier region.
