It’s a question (and answer) of “and” not “or”
June 1st, 2009
Did you know there are more than 35 countries represented at this conference? I’ve already met representatives from eight, and this evening’s reception is about to start. I will be doing my best in a few minutes, glass of wine in hand, to meet representatives from the remaining 27.
Today, I’ve heard many people speak about the need for collaboration … whether between governments, within the sector, across industry sectors … the list goes on. And it makes sense. The hydrogen and fuel cell industry faces some significant challenges still; when you’re working towards many of the same goals, there’s economic and political sense in collaborating to remove some of the hurdles. So many attendees, from across the globe, are a testament to the willingness to share and learn.
However, this industry is also full of fierce competition. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Competition is critical to driving innovation and achievement. But, my point is, I’ve spent long enough working in the industry to know how tough it can be, and I’ve heard more than one of you talk about why one solution will work and another won’t, and why something one company does is better than another approach.
So, can productive collaboration and healthy competition really coexist?
Larry Burns , in his presentation as part of the Automotive Commercialization panel, talked about the need to frame answers to some of the tough questions the automotive industry faces today in terms of “and” and not “or” solutions. He talked about this concept, primarily in the context of light duty vehicles and the portfolio of transportation technologies and alternatives necessary to reach efficiency and emissions targets. Burns explained, as many of us are aware, that it’s not a case of battery versus fuel cell; or using natural gas to make hydrogen versus using it to generate electricity; or recharging batteries versus swapping them out. It’s a case of using what makes sense, given the particular situation, in pursuit of the overall goal.
Now admittedly, right now, it seems some folks don’t get this, whether it’s proponents of one particular technology, or government departments making funding decisions.
But, it seems to me, you can apply this “and” versus “or” approach directly to the hydrogen and fuel cell industry. Just in my conversations today, I’ve heard remarks that illustrate people get it. Most people at this conference know there’s no silver bullet (heard that term three times today, by the way); there’s no “or” solution that’s going to solve the issues the hydrogen and fuel cell industry faces. But there are lots of “and” solutions, and that’s what people are talking about.
So, if we take this “and” rather than “or” concept and apply it to this industry, that’s how competition and collaboration can work. It’s not a case of working together or working alone; it’s a case of both working collaboratively and independently to reach industry and corporate goals.
Brought to you by Rebecca at Puzzlewood.
2 Responses to “It’s a question (and answer) of “and” not “or””
1Hipolito M. Wiseman
February 10th, 2010 @ 6:43 pm
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