Some people are suspicious of standards because they think standards are opposed to creativity. With this mindset, if you're using something you didn't make yourself, then you're not being creative. The error here is thinking that standards are a product, when they're actually a tool. You wouldn't make your own chisel, or your own paintbrush. That doesn't stop you being creative with those tools.
Sure, there are companies that make chisels and paintbrushes, and from their point of view tools are products. When the user is shopping for tools, they're comparing products. But the product status vanishes the moment you put the tool to work.
When you meet this mindset, get the person to consider whether Picasso was any less creative for using brushes somebody else made. For that matter, ask them if using Legos stifles the creativity of kids. Pablo would probably have produced some pretty weird brushes and missed his appointment with fame.
Standards are tools. They are the right tool for the job – the job of growing a business, connecting with customers, collaborating with partners, complying with regulators, saving money.
But exactly what tools? I think the key to keeping Standards relevant are to develop the right tools to be used by the Industry. ACORD has always done this starting with Forms, then EDI, and on to XML. There are exciting things happening at ACORD which will lead to the next evolution of tools and success here is critical. Looking forward to hearing more.
Posted by: Lloyd Chumbley | Tuesday, 11 February 2014 at 09:26 AM