Ideas
We’re always thinking about becoming better innovators
- October 4, 2015
What Innovators Can Learn from Design History
October 4, 2015Read moreMany of us have had a boss tell us that we should be more innovative or “think out of the box”. Let’s assume we want to be more creative and innovative – where do we start? Are there some widely used models that can guide us in the right direction? After all, step-by-step process models are widely used in most professions as they break complex procedures into
0 - February 18, 2015Read more
I’ll do it later.
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back—Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves, too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”
– William Hutchinson Murray
February 18, 2015 - February 17, 2015
The Cost of Failing to Innovate
February 17, 2015Read moreThe history of business is littered with companies that stagnate and lose their ability to innovate. Unwilling to recognize threats to their existing business models, some pay the ultimate price of bankruptcy. Once a multi-billion dollar company, Blockbuster’s executive team realized too late that streaming films over the Internet was the future of their video rental business. This capability was
- January 19, 2015Read more
That’s just the way it is.
“When you grow up you tend to get told that the world is the way it is and your life is just to live your life and try not to bash into the walls too much…that’s a very limited life. Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact — everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you…shake off this erroneous notion that life is there and you’re just going to live in it versus make your mark upon it. Once you learn that, you will never be the same again.”
– Steve Jobs
January 19, 2015 - December 21, 2014Read more
We only need one new idea.
“It’s important not to overstate the benefits of ideas. Quite frankly, I know it’s kind of a romantic notion that you’re just going to have this one brilliant idea and then everything is going to be great. But the fact is that coming up with an idea is the least important part of creating something great. It has to be the right idea and have good taste, but the execution and delivery are what’s key.”
– Sergey Brin
December 21, 2014 - April 2, 2014
The Frustrated Innovator
April 2, 2014Read moreTo be an effective leader of innovation in an organization requires very large doses of patience and persistence. While we all like to hear about great innovators and their success stories, the reality is that the vast majority of innovation initiatives fail– some say up to 95%. Here’s a warning. If you’ve been tasked with innovation in your organization, the odds are very stacked
- March 1, 2014
What is innovation?
March 1, 2014Read moreUnderstanding how to positively drive innovation, whether at the organizational, city, national, regional or global levels, remains an elusive goal. Specific initiatives can be difficult to articulate because our concepts of what is innovation and how it can be measured are continuing to evolve over time. For example, as noted by authors of the Global Innovation Index, the evolution of what constitutes innovation can be discerned in subsequent versions of
- February 4, 2014Read more
I must protect my ideas.
“Don’t worry about people stealing your ideas. If your ideas are any good, you’ll have to ram them down people’s throats.”
– Howard H. Aiken
February 4, 2014