One of the things that I’ve always appreciated about Michigan is its ability to innovate. However, I’ve noticed that we have lost this courage. It takes immense courage and perhaps a bit of stupidity to do what others are afraid to do. As I listened to this session on growth and innovation in business at the Mackinac Policy Conference, I was fortunate to learn how some of our business leaders keep their organizations vibrant, while confronting today’s challenges.

The panel included:

• David A. Brandon-chairman and CEO of Domino’s Pizza
• Mary Sue Coleman-president of University of Michigan
• William U. Parfet-chairman and CEO of MPI Research , Inc
• Robert G. Riney-vice president and COO of Henry Ford Health System

Parfet’s company, MPI Research, works primarily in biotech research. He stated that the average clinical drug trial takes 13 years and costs roughly $1 billion. While the focus is producing a safe product, $13 billion is costly gamble should the drug not work. What MPI is doing is improving and shortening the process, while still testing a drug’s safety and effectiveness. It will cost tens of thousands rather than $13 billion-a great cost effective investment toward drug safety.

Coleman also has unique challenges. For the University of Michigan, one of the challenges is providing an education while keeping costs low. An educated workforce is one that is powerfully effective and extremely innovative. She noticed that in a recent class of incoming freshmen 600 already had their own businesses. Often people  first go to school and then become entrepreneurs, but here we have the reverse. This is a a dramatic, inspirational shift. Another focus is in accelerating the transfer of technology: taking products from the lab to market.

Brandon described how to  remain vibrant in a market flooded with numerous competitors. One of the things that Domino’s Pizza did was begin a line of oven-baked sandwiches for home-delivery. Within these first nine months, they are the number one provider. In a world where uncertainty has paralyzed many of us, he suggested to the attendees, “When you’re unsure what to do, do something.” Had Dominos hesitated, they could have been overtaken by their competitors.

As for Riney, he reminded the audience that innovation is in the Henry Ford Health System’s DNA, as it was founded by Henry Ford. There were a number of new innovations.

• One was is bringing the da Vinci surgical system, which is robot based and computer aided, making it minimally invasive and making for a quicker recovery.
• Also, they are also using e-technology to streamline paperwork.
• Lastly, for their West Bloomfield location, they saw that it was necessary to improve the experience for patients and their families.

To accomplish this last goal, HFHS hired Gerard van Grinsven, vice president and area general manager for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, to improve the feel of the hospital experience, which contributes toward patients healing quicker and having a shorter hospital stay. The hospital as a pleasant experience!

After having attended this session, I’m more convinced that (a) Michigan has and still has the ability to innovate but (b) we’ve become afraid to innovate. We cannot let this be. If we do not innovate, then we will die. However, with our tenacity, ingenuity and out-of-the-box thinking, we will find our way. As one of the panelists said, “We need to quit cursing the dark and light some candles.”  So, let’s light the way.

Author: Jose A. Rodriguez

Photo: Renee Gonyeau