The facade of R.H.Thomas Deluxe Grill, a photo from: www.rthomasdeluxegrill.net

In one of my classmate Bogdan’s blog How social responsibility helped in the creation of a successful restaurant, he elaborated on how R.H.Thomas Deluxe Grill’s founder Richard Thomas’s social responsibility brings the company a huge success, which I firmly agree with. Nonetheless, I also found it a fabulous example of how CRS contributes to a sustaining innovation.

An innovation can be two-fold: disruptive or sustaining, which I got confused in the class but figure out now. One typical example of a disruptive innovation is E-commerce, which makes a breakthrough in the way people purchase things, from in-store shopping to more convenient online shopping.

R.H.Thomas Deluxe Grill Logo, a picture from: www.peachfullychic.com

Nonetheless, Richard Thomas’s idea is not a disruptive idea because it doesn’t transform the basis of competition in the market or almost replace the original industry-fast food industry still exists. Instead, it is an improvement on the current product and services.

Similar to David Cohen’s idea of coming up with a great startup idea, which is to “look at what’s bugging you”. Driven by his strong social responsibility, “the pure entrepreneur” Richard Thomas found flaws in his existing business and thought up an innovative idea that benefits customers.  His initiative adds a new, healthier type of food that continues to be served now.

In short, CSR not only plays a role in better operating the company, it helps build up a company with great innovation as well.

References:

Bogdan Proskurnia (November,7,2014) How social responsibility helped in the creation of a successful restaurant. [online]. Available at:https://blogs.ubc.ca/nadgobp/2014/11/07/how-social-responsibility-helped-in-the-creation-of-a-successful-restaurant/ [Accessed 08, November 2014]