I'm not sure if any one read Monica's Strategy and Marketing Email - send this morning. But it was interesting to see her 'Rock & Roll' quote:

Have a good start of a new 3 years innovation stream to all! Let me conclude with an inspiring quote this long announcement:

“Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” Apple Inc. – Think Different Campaign.

So here's a semi humorous start - just a few ideas to get a discussion going on this.

Can we create a culture in the SWX Brand where this can happen?  How can we inculcate this anti status quo culture internally - and achieve the revenue growth targets GP mentioned at the Brand meeting? A few points:

• At present it may seem that Onshape, GRADCAD etc are the new Rock 'n Rollers. SWX has gone a bit AOR (More Fleetwood Mac  - than the Sex Pistols or Ramones)
• Can a large Corporate such as DS - with its history of supporting traditional industries and regulated processes make this transition? It could be fun and interesting trying.
• Once SWX was the rebel - but clearly this is less so- others are. Internally we are more corporate in our processes - less agile  etc. Release cycles are getting longer not shorter.
• I'm not anti corporate - but I'm wondering how we can square the circle - tolerate Rebels internally - (or is it all talk?). Think REALLY differently.Innovators dilemma differently.
• Apple was ' The rebel' from the start. But DS matched its hierarchical, regulated corporate customer organisations (Aero, Military, Auto). SWX did the same with its customers (by engineers for engineers- 'can doers' with in small scale organisations). Culturally they were opposites. It seems to me that the trend is pushing SWX in the hierarchical corporate direction (even though DS may be trying to set up some kind of corporate  Rebel strategy - it is permeated with status quo thinking- Too much 'fitting in'- Questioning not encouraged) -

Monica may talk about the 'crazy one's - and that may be possible for those at the Top - but for many of us Foot Soldiers - that is less possible. I wonder how far down this having 'no respect for the status quo '- actually goes? This is an important consideration for corporate culture (or may be it's because I'm in a small satellite office?)

So my concluding question is:

Can DS change from a status quo, hierarchical culture (with a bit of Rebel culture at the top) - really change to an Apple Type company? How can we properly regain our rebellious youth?

Can we change the (Digital Design & Manufacturing) World- starting from within ???

Thanks for your time 'Pop Pickers' (English folks will understand).