WHAT IF APPLE RAN YOUR CITY?
Started in a small garage in Los Altos, CA, Apple has grown into an unmatched global technology leader. Apple’s unique user experience is rooted in human-centered product design that makes people feel valued.
I’ve been wondering if cities could look at a technology company like Apple and learn to innovate better. Where do we get stuck? Why it’s so hard to innovate and make real progress? And how would we look if we’re willing to overcome the status quo?
The stereotype of government workers portrays us as unqualified, lazy, and just holding on until we retire. Whether that’s the school secretary who always yells at everyone or the building department official who is giving you the run around instead of telling you what you need to do. All of us had experiences like these.
How can we overcome the stereotype and prove to our communities that we’re ready to build an innovative, bright future?
Policy Inertia
The Oxford Dictionary defines inertia as “a tendency to do nothing or to remain unchanged.”
When you suffer from policy inertia, “NO” can seem like a much easier answer, especially when people around you suffer from policy inertia as well and are reluctant and hesitant to change the process or policy. In that environment, every ambition that once motivated us to excel turns inevitably into frustration. Customers become burdens, and passionate co-workers a threat to our peace.
Apple overcomes inertia by putting experts in each critical area and governing with a mission of creating new markets rather than competing.
Limiting Innovation
In his New York Times bestseller entitled The Death of Common Sense,” Philip K. Howard wrote that “Law is supposed to be a framework for humans to make choices, not the replacement for free choice.”
When government overregulates by putting up obstacles rather than creating opportunities, innovation suffers.
A great example of over-regulation is something that happened here in Oregon. Our State legislature recently passed new Climate Friendly and Equitable City (CFEC) rules. One important goal of the legislation is the elimination of parking minimums statewide. Cities have development codes that require developers to build a certain amount of parking for each project. That drives up costs and encourages the construction of larger homes. Changing that is a good idea for many cities, struggling to get soaring housing prices under control. But the Oregon regulators did all they could to create an over-complicated process, slowing implementation and creating confusion.
Compare that to Apple, who creates processes that are easy to follow, simple to understand, and achieve goals quickly.
The Fear to Fail
Another contributor to “inertia” is the fear of failure. The power of social media elevates that fear in both our personal and professional lives. It is no wonder that more than any other generation we are afraid to fail. Every change we propose has the potential to become personal. Every choice invites the scrutiny of our communities.
To avoid criticism, we spend too much time getting our policies perfect the first time, including too many details and extending the process. Often, as a result, not many changes are made, especially because of exceptions and loopholes for those who can afford good lawyers.
A different way
Apple motivates its people by rewarding innovation. Their motto is simple -- if you are not failing you are not growing, if you are not growing, you are not innovating, if you are not innovating, you’re not achieving the mission.
Steve Jobs applied design thinking by prioritizing:
People’s needs over the needs of the business
Product Designs that people fall in love with
Status Symbol — Apple became a luxury and status symbol for many
Focus on Design over-engineering
Product simplicity and minimalism over complexity
These priorities enable Apple to develop amazing products, well-integrated devices, unmatched experiences, people-oriented approaches, and incredible functionality. All, because of a well-thought-out strategy that was (and is) deeply rooted in those priorities.
Apple’s most powerful tool for motivating their employees is a clear mission - “To bring the best user experience to customers through innovative hardware, software, and services.”
We need to renew our minds and re-prioritize, following Apple’s example.
Regardless of position, we can each take the first step and influence our areas of responsibility. Let’s say yes/and instead of no/but more often and open our minds to receive new ideas with curiosity instead of opposition or fear.
Call me a dreamer, but I do believe it is possible to have a well-thought-out strategy for our cities.
I invite you today to be bold and start your journey towards cutting-edge code and policy, well-integrated services, unmatched experiences, community-oriented approaches, and unparalleled community engagement.