According to dictionary.com, “to invent” means “to originate or create as a product of one’s own ingenuity or experimentation.”

“To perfect,” on the other hand, means “to bring to completion or perfection, to make flawless or fully skilled.” This brings me to the question: is it better to invent or to perfect? My boss, Victor Pak, recently brought this debate to my attention.

In his article, he stated:

Like many others, I followed Jobs’ work and marveled at all the products Apple developed and released to the market with great success.  What intrigues me about Apple is that they were not the first to invent a product category – they just did it better than anyone else. I found it very interesting that the death of Robert W. Galvin, which occurred a mere six days after that of Steve Jobs’, was wholly unrecognized by the press. Unlike Jobs’ passing, Galvin’s did not make the front page of the paper, nor did it incite statements from celebrities or the President. There was no massive press release or even a cause of death, but instead, a statement on the back page of the Washington Post indicating that Galvin had passed away quietly at the age of 89 in his Chicago home. 

For those of you who were like me and unsure of who Robert W. Galvin was, he was the Chairman and Chief Executive of Motorola. His company, Motorola, was the first to transform cell phones into wireless communication products that were small enough to use anywhere.

After reading Victor’s article I realized how true this was. Steve Jobs was not the man to invent the cell phone and its technology, yet he was adored while alive and honored after he passed. Robert, on the other hand, was barely acknowledged as he passed away. What does this say about our society? We feel we deserve the best and constantly seek change. Think about it, we are always craving the “next big thing.” I must admit that I am guilty of this very phenomenon. A few months ago, I was feeling bored with my current laptop. I had a PC that was working perfectly fine, yet I felt left out of the hip and trendy Apple circle. Instead of being satisfied with my current device, I went out and purchased a brand new Apple Mac Book Pro. It often appears that the creator may get the credit for a period of time, but the “perfector” quickly steps in for the glory. The thing is, the “perfector” is always changing, unless, of course, you are Steve Jobs.

Those of you who have had conversations with me know I am a dreamer. I have an entrepreneurial spirit, and I am always looking to build or create something new, so I’ve put a lot of thought into this topic. Does the inventor really get pushed to the background while the new guy takes your idea and makes it better? I have to say that although the inventor may not get the glory he or she deserves, he holds the more honorable position. It takes a considerable amount of passion, knowledge, persistence, and motivation to create something that others find important enough to try to perfect. From a business standpoint, however, we want to constantly remain on top, so how do we achieve this?

I would venture to say that it’s possible to be both the inventor and the “pefector.” As we know, new technology is constantly being discovered and our industry is forever changing. I admit, it is a challenge, which is why most people or companies fall into the category of either inventing or perfecting. So, what’s the point of my ramblings? It’s a challenge – a challenge to rise above, to be that person or company that has the passion and drive to invent something great and also master the skills to perfect their creation! Or, instead of always trying to “one up” our competitors, why don’t we join forces? I bet you’re thinking, “did she really just say that?”  Indeed, I did. It is quite possible that we can reach a greater level of success and acknowledgment if we put our pride aside and join forces with other people or companies that fill the gaps that we may lack.

I challenge you to think long and hard. What do you think is better, to be a knowledgeable and fearless inventor like Galvin, or a skilled and vision-filled “perfector” like Jobs? Or maybe, just maybe, you would like to venture with me in striving to find that perfect blend of both…

Warmest Wishes,

Olivia

PS: You can read Victor’s article HERE