How 3M Built a Culture of Innovation That Changed the World
Few companies have influenced as many industries as 3M . While many consumers recognize products such as Post-it Notes, Scotch Tape, and various office supplies, the company’s impact extends far beyond what most people see in stores. Over more than a century, 3M has developed thousands of products used in healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, electronics, construction, and countless other industries. The company was founded in 1902 as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company. Its original goal was to mine minerals that could be used in grinding wheels. The venture struggled almost immediately because the mineral deposits the founders expected to find were not as valuable as they had hoped. Many businesses would have failed after such an early setback. Instead, the company adapted. Leaders shifted their focus toward developing new products and technologies, gradually moving away from the original business model that had proven unsuccessful. This willingness to change becam...