Innovate on Purpose: Eating the seed corn

Eating the seed corn, a saying that refers to farmers eating seeds meant for planting in times of famine or crisis, is used as a metaphor for Target's recent decision to cut two of its innovation projects. This suggests that Target may have missed an opportunity for future growth, and its lack of commitment to research and development (R&D) is a concern in the face of intense competition. The termination of these projects has attracted attention because of the potential they represented, and this could be a sign of increased scrutiny of R&D decisions in companies. While innovation teams in some industries do not have the luxury of consistent investments, every industry must be generating new products and services constantly, as the pace of change and emerging global competition are too fierce to wait.