Bioluminescent Christmas Trees and RPO

Recently, Robert Krulwich, correspondent for NPR’s Science Desk, reported that Dr. Yen-Hsun Su of the Research Center for Applied Science in Taiwan had just bioengineered a way to make a tree that glows. The reason he did this was an attempt to develop a more efficient light emitting diode, presumably to enhance street lighting in Taiwan. In other words, he hoped to create trees along roads that one day could replace or enhance street lights.

Since this is the season when many us are buying trees and cover them with little blinking lights, Robert Krulwich suggests that perhaps this scientific breakthrough could be used for a more commercial, seasonal application….Christmas trees!

Coincidentally, I was talking with Machie Madden, from the PR firm LandersMadden, and telling her about the bioluminescent holiday tree and she was initially somewhat taken aback by the idea. However, after I explained the science and the practical application around traffic safety, she jumped right on the band wagon.

In fact, she came up with a brilliant recommendation for this new technology. She suggested that a great application would be bioluminescent trees on ski slopes!

So how is bioluminescent technology relevant to RPO? Initially, self illuminating holiday trees seems like a bizarre and almost comical idea; however, if you take the time to think about it, look at the underlying technology, and ponder other applications, it turns out to be a truly valid idea.

Likewise, I think that many recruitment process outsourcing firms (excluding Pinstripe, of course) are reluctant to embrace innovation, change and key talent acquisition advancements. We have too few innovators and visionaries (and even pragmatists) in our industry.

This leads me to this question:

Is the propensity of RPO service providers towards being conservative and cautious a reflection of the service providers, a mirror of clients, or a combination  of both parties apprehension?


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