A McKinsey Article from 2020 is still very true today. John F. Kennedy once observed that the word “crisis” in Chinese is composed of two characters: one representing danger and the other opportunity. While the linguistics may be debated, the insight holds true. Crisis doesn’t just test us—it reveals our priorities.
As we face continuing economic uncertainty—from disrupted supply chains to evolving regulatory landscapes—leaders across industries are still tempted to play it safe. Many are choosing to scale back innovation efforts and wait for stability. But history, including the aftermath of the 2009 financial crisis, shows that those who lean in to innovation during downturns emerge stronger, grow faster, and outperform their peers.
At DorothyAI, we believe this is a defining moment for patent professionals and IP strategists to embrace smarter, faster, AI-enabled innovation—not just to survive, but to lead.
What the McKinsey Report Teaches Us from the Past
McKinsey’s research on innovation during crisis offers clear guidance:
- Only 21% of executives feel they have the resources and commitment to pursue new growth today.
- Yet companies that invested in innovation during previous crises outperformed peers by over 30% post-crisis.
- Innovation is most effective when organizations prioritize discovery, evolution, and choice—understanding new customer needs, evolving business models, and reallocating resources accordingly.
DorothyAI: Innovation Tools for the “Next Normal”
DorothyAI’s suite of tools is designed to help IP professionals not only discover what matters in this moment but act on it with speed and precision:
- AskDot is your AI-powered patent intern—ready to summarize, compare, translate, and answer complex patent questions instantly. In a volatile market, this means fewer blind spots, faster turnaround, and better-informed decisions.
- Novelty allows innovators to quickly evaluate patentability, technology trends, and prior art. When identifying new opportunity areas is critical, Novelty helps teams move from idea to action with confidence.
- Freedom helps organizations assess freedom to operate, analyze invalidity risks, and conduct precise claim language searches. This reduces exposure and enables smarter resource allocation in fast-evolving industries.
In short, we’re building what McKinsey refers to as the ability to re-Discover, Evolve, and Choose—and we’re doing it with the power of AI.
AI as a Force Multiplier for IP Strategy
At DorothyAI, we align with your business strategy—not just your IP goals. In times of crisis, clarity matters more than ever. That’s why our tools integrate insights, decision support, and workflow automation to help firms and businesses navigate complexity and unlock new value.
We’re not just building tools. We’re helping you build resilience.
Because innovation isn’t just a product of good times. It’s a decision you make—even when times are hard.
Make the decision. Innovate forward. With DorothyAI.