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In 1980, 3M officially launched the product as the “Post-it Note.” Initially, the Post-it Note was available only in canary yellow, but over time, the product line expanded to include a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. The Post-it Note quickly became a staple in offices, schools, and households worldwide, revolutionizing the way people communicate and organize their thoughts.

The success of the Post-it Note exemplifies the concept of intrapreneurship, as it involved the creation of a new product category within an established company. Despite initial challenges and skepticism, Dr. Silver and Art Fry persisted in developing and commercializing their invention, ultimately creating one of the most recognizable and widely used office supplies of all time. 

3M

Post-it notes

The Post-it note, one of the most iconic office supplies, was invented by a scientist named Dr. Spencer Silver, who worked for 3M, a multinational conglomerate corporation. In 1968, Dr. Silver was attempting to create a super-strong adhesive for use in the aerospace industry. However, what he actually developed was a low-tack, pressure-sensitive adhesive that stuck to surfaces but could be easily removed without leaving residue.

Initially, Dr. Silver’s invention didn’t find a clear application within 3M’s existing product lines, and the company didn’t know how to commercialize it effectively. However, in 1974, another 3M scientist named Art Fry attended one of Dr. Silver’s seminars and saw the potential of the adhesive for creating bookmarks in his church hymnal. Fry realized that the adhesive could be used to create a temporary bookmark that wouldn’t damage the pages when removed.

Fry and Silver collaborated to refine the adhesive and create small, yellow squares of paper with a strip of the adhesive along one edge. They named their invention the “Press ‘n Peel” bookmark and began testing it within 3M and later with external users. The product received positive feedback, particularly from office workers who appreciated its ability to temporarily attach notes to documents and surfaces.

Serendipity

The invention of the Post-it note is a prime example of serendipity, emerging from the accidental discovery of a weak adhesive and the subsequent realization of its potential in solving a different problem. This unanticipated turn of events eventually resulted in a widely-used product that revolutionized note-taking and organization.

Pearson’s Uncertainty Map

However, digging deeper into the case reveals the uncertainty surrounding the output (Quadrant 3), as depicted in Pearson’s Uncertainty Map. It took 3M five years to find a practical use for the adhesive, highlighting uncertainty about what is the eventual target of the low-tack adhesive and how to effectively utilize it.

Interactive model of innovation

Initially, Spencer Silver’s discovery reflects a form of technology push, where innovation arises from internal advancements. However, the successful commercialization of the Post-it note was primarily driven by market pull – the customer need-driven model. Art Fry identified a practical application for the adhesive based on his own needs and those of potential users. Without Art Fry’s demand for bookmarks in his church hymnal, the utility of the Post-it Note might have remained undiscovered. Thus, the journey of Post-it Notes from its inception until it reaches your desk is also a prime example of an interactive model of innovation.

Ansoff matrix – Diversification strategy
New-to-the-world product

The creation of Post-it Notes also provided 3M with an opportunity to enter a new market—the stationery industry. The post-it notes can be classified as a New-to-the-world product as it was new to both the company and the market at the time. This serves as an example of a diversification strategy in Ansoff matrix.

Technology leverage

Exemplify the concept of technology leverage. The adhesive technology developed by 3M was originally intended for another purpose, but through innovative thinking and adaptation, it was leveraged to create a completely new product. This demonstrates how existing technology can be utilized in novel ways to create value and enter new markets. By leveraging their adhesive technology in this manner, 3M was able to capitalize on their existing capabilities and resources to introduce a successful product that revolutionized the stationery industry.

Academic Article

Boh, W. F., Evaristo, R., & Ouderkirk, A. (2014). Balancing breadth and depth of expertise for innovation: A 3M story. Research Policy, 43(2), 349-366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2013.10.009

Examining the success story of post-it notes within 3M not only sheds light on the company’s remarkable ability to innovate but also prompts a deeper exploration into the factors driving such innovation. Boh, Evaristo, and Ouderkirk (2014) conducted a study on innovation at 3M, exploring the importance of balancing breadth and depth of expertise, delved into how inventors’ expertise plays a pivotal role in shaping the company’s trajectory.

The study found that having a wide range of expertise is linked to creating numerous inventions, but not all of them are particularly groundbreaking. On the other hand, having deep expertise allows inventors to come up with inventions that make a significant technical impact, as shown by the patents they receive. However, what really makes inventors highly valuable is having both broad and deep expertise, which helps them effectively turn their inventions into successful products that sell well in the market.

References

Trott, P. (2021). Innovation Management & New Product Development (7th edition)

Somers, M. (2018). Intrapreneurship, explained. Ideas Made to Matter.