Preparing to send some emails while relaxing at your favorite café, you return to your seat with a delicious hot cup of joe. A cup that splatters all over the floor as you realize your laptop has been stolen. All of your work files, family photos, contacts, banking account information, your deepest most personal data
Innovation is a top priority for leadership, as expressed in the recent IBM global CEO study. It sounds great to us when we hear our leaders express the need to innovate, but what do they really mean? The definition of innovation–something fresh or new that we value–can only take our understanding so far. Here are
Scott Berkun, author of the book “The Myths of Innovation,” recently suggested that we use the word innovation too often in a vague way and we have diverse intended meanings. I can’t argue with him. Its used carelessly to suggest a number of different things and has lately been a popular buzz word for nearly
In a recent discussion about some fresh entrepreneurial ideas, one of my colleagues at Intel suggested some ways to improve Intel’s operation, but commented that “no-one feels happy walking away from the suggestion box”. Why does no-one feel happy sharing a suggestion after dropping it in a box? I felt my colleague’s statement reverberate over
Innovation often occurs on two extremes – when there is a pressing need OR an abundant opportunity Pressing Need: People are forced to innovate during downturns in the economy or when costs are greater than profits. For example, innovation is often cited as a benefit of business cycle. It forces people to think of alternative
Continuous and Emergent innovation stem from the same basic innovation definition: something fresh or new that creates value, but there are numerous key differences. Continuous Innovation is synonymous with improvements, fresh iterations, progression, new enhancements, growth, incremental changes and efficiency whereas Emergent Innovation is synonymous with breakthroughs, disruption, radical ideas, paradigm-shifting results, raw novelty, and
People, Process, and Technology are essential pillars for effective Innovation in any organization/team and each must be addressed separately and integrated collectively to assure innovative results What’s included in People? People includes the rewards and incentives, environment and culture, leadership and examples. Companies have long boxed innovation into the R&D department. Not until recently have
7 key sources and 7 key ingredients CENTRIC TO Innovation C: Creatives and Creativity: You may be born creative…many are. Or you may learn creativity…many do. Either way, the art of “new” starts with you. E: Entrepreneurs and Enthusiasm: Entrepreneurs have long been known for Innovation. An entrepreneur’s secret ingredient–an undying enthusiasm that gives them
What is Innovation? 30+ definitions lead to one fresh summary: Fresh Thinking that Creates Value The Problem From the Economist to Wikipedia to Websters to Barack Obama to Innovation Zen, around the globe, we seek tangible answers for an intangible question: What is Innovation? Definitions vary and people mean different things. After reviewing dozens of
