Monthly Archives: December 2009
In the same way that there has been a lot of buzz around what innovation an Apple Tablet might bring, I’ve been seeing a lot of hype around how great the Google Phone is going to be.The first Google Phone was an HTC-branded phone carried by T-Mobile USA, and the second is promised to be a Google-branded phone made by HTC and also carried by T-Mobile USA. The new phone is expected to sport an updated version of Android (Google’s mobile operating system) and to be sleeker and better designed.But after seeing some of the information about the phone and how it will be sold, that is slowly leaking out of T-Mobile USA and other places, I have to ask “Where’s the Beef?”You may remember the line popularized by a series of Wendy’s spots a few decades back, and if not, here is one for nostalgia’s sake or your general … Continue reading
We tend to think that the best way to innovate is to add new features to our products or services. What can we add that increases the appeal of our offering? This route can easily lead to extra cost, feature overload and customer fatigue. Sometimes a better answer lies in subtraction.Michael O’Leary, the founder of Ryanair, looked at the business process of passenger flights and built a new model by subtracting all the frills that meant extra cost. He subtracted:Travel agents – you book direct over the Internet so the middlemen and their costs are cut out.Tickets – you show your passport and quote your reference number. Subtracting tickets saves costs.Allocated seating – you choose a seat when you get on the plane – just like on a train or bus.Free drinks and snacks – if you want a drink you have to buy it.Customer care – Ryanair has one-tenth … Continue reading
Wow, what a year!2009 has come and gone, and many of us are taking a huge sigh of relief. Going through one of the worst recessions in U.S. history will certainly take the wind out of your sails. But we appear to have weathered the worst of the storm. And while the economy might not rebound with the speed and vigor we would like, it at least appears to be heading in the right direction again.So what did we learn from the trials and tribulations of the past year? And how can we apply those lessons going forward? Here are 10 things I believe that leaders need to do differently to position their businesses for success in 2010.Get used to the likelihood there will be no normal anymore. The old business world that most of us knew and loved went away with the recession, and it’s not coming back. To … Continue reading
Would you like a chance to win one of three copies of Gary Hamel’s latest book “The Future of Management” ?Well, if you’ve got a Twitter or LinkedIn account, then you’ve got an opportunity to maybe win one of three copies of this book.To enter on Twitter:Send an @reply message to @innovate with the URL of your favorite innovation articleMake sure that your tweet includes “2009 contest” in itSubmit your entry by the end of December 31, 2009 (GMT)To enter on LinkedIn:Submit a news article URL to our Continuous Innovation group on LinkedIn (1,700+ members) or add a comment to someone else’s submission thereMake sure that you begin your submission title or comment with “2009″Submit your entry by the end of December 31, 2009 (GMT)I’ll announce the three winners on January 1, 2010.Braden Kelley is the editor of Blogging Innovation and founder of Business Strategy Innovation, a consultancy focusing on … Continue reading
While today’s post is short, it truly merits the attention of anyone still grappling with 2010 budget concerns. I’m going to share something with you that you might not want to hear, and quite frankly, something that will likely send your CFO straight into apoplexy. You don’t grow a business by shrinking it. The key to corporate growth is not to fall into decline; hopefully not by default, but certainly not by design. If your 2010 plan is one that involves constriction, contraction, shrinkage or retraction, you should note that this is not what your clients and prospects are looking for.Do you think your clients will be impressed that you’re cutting staff, shrinking marketing budgets, eliminating service lines or any other item that they perceive as a limiting factor in your ability to help or add value? Know this: your clients and prospects will never see any form of bunker … Continue reading
While their competitors advertise holiday clearance bargains, Best Buy is running full-page newspaper ads to inform customers that they “…promise to be there for you and whatever you bought for as long as you need us.” Wow, Best Buy’s got your back (if you’re a customer).These are not simply platitudes. The campaign goes into tangible detail about an extended no-hassle return and exchange program, help with set-up and even recycling when it’s time for new stuff.Why all this altruism? It’s easy. The low price purchase factor big box retail relied on as a reason for being and eventual domination is going away. Retail pricing is quickly becoming transparent. Online shoppers regularly use sites like PriceGrabber.com and CNET.com to scour the web for the best deal. More dramatically, it’s not unusual to see shoppers in a Best Buy scanning UPC codes using smart phones equipped with apps like RedLaser or ShopSavvy … Continue reading
