Innovation Weblog

The inherent dangers of incrementalism

It may seem that tweaking existing offerings may be the safer or more provable approach, but the world may be changing too quickly or in very broad ways, ways in which an incremental approach may be insufficient for long term growth.

How to look for innovation inspiration outside of your industry

Emulation is a viable technique for driving innovation. However, one has to look outside of their current industry for it to have any real value, often very far away from that industry.

2010 Innovation Climate Survey shows innovators expect a bright future, but not soon

During February 2010, InnovationTools.com conducted a brief survey of innovation practitioners to measure the current climate for innovation. It asked respondents to quantify the changes in their organization's innovation climate and funding since the global recession hit, and about the specific strategies they're utilizing to help to keep innovation alive in their firms. Here's an executive summary of the results.

The Top 10 Predictors of Future Innovation Success

The recently-published Innovation Tools 2010 Innovation Climate Survey contains some excellent insights and indicators that innovation is once again on the upswing, at least among a large chunk of respondents. But it also underscores a persistent misunderstanding of what innovation really is and why it's different from creativity, ideation, invention or product development.

It's time for a resurgence in creative leadership and processes, says futurist Frank Spencer

Futurist Frank Spencer believes that the global economic recession and mechanistic organizational structures have driven creativity out of most firms. It's time for a resurgence in creative leadership and processes that will transform our thinking and actions.

8 recommended books on visual thinking

If you want to engage in a deeper study of the principles, applications and possibilities of visual mapping and visual thinking, here are 8 books that I have personally read and recommend.

Idea Stimulator: An exciting new ideation tool for the iPhone

Idea Stimulator is a terrific new brainstorming tool for the iPhone that offers over 100 different creative thinking exercises to help you to tap your creative muse. Here's a brief look at its capabilities.

The importance of communication in open innovation

One of the common themes of the speakers at the recent CoDev Open Innovation Conference was the importance of developing exceptional communication skills. In the age of open innovation, when partnering with firms outside of your organization in the pursuit of great ideas will become the norm, cultivating this capability will be essential to your success. Let's take a closer look at the specific skills that will be needed.

Creativity is at the heart of 21st century work, says Dan Pink

NYT best-selling author Dan Pink shares some valuable insights into the new paradigm of creative work in this Business Thought Leader interview.

Three levels of open innovation maturity

There are three levels of open innovation maturity: externally aware, fully integrated and ecosystem orchestration. Innovation and growth performance improve as maturity increases.

What is lateral thinking?

Lateral thinking is one of those terms that many people have heard of, but probably very few of us really know what it means. So when I saw a very clear definition and description of it in Paul Sloane's excellent new book, How to be a Brilliant Thinker: Exercise Your Mind and Find Creative Solutions, I couldn't resist sharing it with you.

Zappos Insights executive says execution of ideas is key

Robert Richman, Product Manager of Zappos Insights, says the most successful companies will be those that have people with the best ideas, and who can execute them most effectively.

Why open innovation alliances fail

One of the reasons why open innovation is so hard to implement is because you must open up your internal innovation processes to another organization. According to one innovation expert, you actually need to manage three sets of relationships in any potential partnership, which explains why it's so hard to create a successful open innovation alliance.

How to find potential open innovation partners

The world if filled with incredibly smart people. If you can locate them and convince them to partner with you, they can help to drive your open innovation efforts forward. Stefan Lindegaard shares several strategies for making that happen.

Is open innovation over-hyped?

Open innovation has been hyped in the media and by some consulting firms over the past few years as the next new thing and is just giving a term to an activity that has been underway in business for a long time. Simply put, open innovation is partnering to gain leverage and build barriers to competition.