If biologists can clone sheep, then policy makers should be able to clone Silicon Valley, right? Well, it might be easier to copy an organism’s DNA than to replicate a region’s culture, including one like Silicon Valley’s, the region south of San Francisco. After all, culture boils down to the beliefs and values people share and reveal in their words and actions. Deborah Perry Piscione focused on Silicon Valley’s culture in her new book, The Secrets of Silicon Valley: What Everyone Else Can Learn From the Innovation Capital of the World. “There is a shared set of attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes Silicon Valley that is different from any place in which I have lived or spent considerable time, including Miami, London, Washington, or New York,” Piscione observed.
She went on to describe the culture—the ecosystem—that emerged over time that set Silicon Valley apart from those other places. “The secret to this type of economy is the right mix of people, those who are risk tolerant, constantly adapting, and don’t enjoy being sedentary. A collaborative culture where people trust one another to cross pollinate and strengthen an idea’s commercial viability is crucial. And most importantly, an acceptance of failure must be in place.”
She also described the ingredients nurturing the culture, including:
- Stanford University and its long-standing relationships with business and government leaders and focus on research with real world applications;
- immigrants and other newcomers who “didn’t bother wasting energy trying to ingratiate themselves within established organizations, instead starting their own social networks, investment clubs, and alliances with strategy partners”;
- entrepreneurs who weren’t afraid of failure or looking at things in unusual ways; and
- farsighted venture capitalists who want to coach budding entrepreneurs, not milk them for a quick return on investment.
The other things that mark Silicon Valley’s culture include intangible factors like restaurants and coffeehouses where innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors can strategize in a relaxed, casual atmosphere; a quality of life that balances work and family and promotes healthy lifestyles; and family lifestyles and schools that teach children to think and act like entrepreneurs.
Can you replicate Silicon Valley? No, but, as Piscione wrote, you can learn from its commitment to “continuous innovation and a culture of creativity.” After all, “there is nothing inherently special about the people in Silicon Valley—it’s the way they interact and collaborate that makes the magic.”
Click here for the recent PBS special on Silicon Valley.
