In elementary school, I collected stamps. As a young adult, it was music CDs. Today and for the last two decades, I’ve collected quotations — inspiring observations and words of wisdom on life, faith, work and more. Today, that collection fills 13 pages, and I refer to it regularly when I need inspiration or a new perspective.
But out of the many business quotes I’ve curated through the years, one stands head and shoulders above the rest. It’s the statement by Roger Milliken, the former Milliken & Company CEO in Spartanburg, who said, “Operational excellence secures the present. Innovation excellence secures the future.”
In just eight words, Mr. Milliken succinctly and profoundly summarized the core requirements for sustainable business success, pointing out the duality of meeting short-term demands while positioning for long-term competitiveness. He knew successful companies must commit fully to both fronts — operations for what’s in front of them right now but dedicating precious resources and energy to always looking forward and building for the future, sometimes even at the expense of today.
It’s also worth noting that Mr. Milliken didn’t say, “Operations secure the present. Innovation secures the future.” Instead, he emphasized excellence in doing both and nothing less. It’s his focus on excellence in both arenas that ties the whole idea together and elevates it as a whole.
His quote is applicable to every type of business, regardless of industry, size or geography. As with most universal business truths, his observation also holds true for communities and their economic-development efforts. In order to be competitive today and tomorrow, communities must operate with excellence while also innovating for the future.
Though I was fortunate to meet Mr. Milliken late in life, I did not know him. Even so, I suspect he would agree that operational and innovation excellence are both required for success in business and communities looking to thrive economically.
– John Moore is a principal with Momenteum Strategies, an Upstate-based consulting firm specializing in helping communities and their economic development organizations build thriving, impactful innovation ecosystems.
