The New York Times (2/1/09) recently featured an article by Janet Rae-Dupree on “disruptive innovation” and how America’s antiquated health care system is on the verge of a long overdue overhaul. The author cites an industry that is prepared to embrace innovations in the form of new business models and greater use of technology. According to the article, “disruptive innovation” is a term first used in 2003 by Harvard Business School professor, Clayton Christensen — calling it “an unexpected new offering that through price or quality improvements turns a market on its head.”

If ever there was an industry in need of turning on its head, it’s health care. But the health care industry is not alone. Most industries and businesses could use a fresh coat of disruptive innovation — now more than ever. We are witnessing a near unprecedented upheaval in the global economic markets, and businesses in every sector are under tremendous strain. Corporations should use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reassess themselves from the inside out, and leverage this overall climate of disruption to seek out and embrace change and more innovative approaches.

Is our current organization and structure best-suited to take on and weather the current economic crisis? Should we re-examine our business models, methodologies, and approaches? Are there more efficient processes we can deploy to achieve our business goals? Are we fully leveraging the latest technologies? Are there changes needed to our product or service lines? Are we effectively leveraging the talent of our employee base? Are we effectively mitigating the anxiety that has engulfed our employees in this volatile economic period?

Corporate executives and managers should be asking themselves all of these questions — and more. Disruption across the globe already has us surrounded. Turn this disruptive climate into an innovative opportunity to put your organization on a stronger and healthier course for the near- and long-term.