Monthly Archives: January 2010
Today is the day of Apple’s latest media event. This is the one where everyone expects Apple to introduce some kind of new tablet device (iPad, iTouch, iSlate, etc.). Because this could be another transformational device innovation by the company, and because insights should always come before ideas and solutions, we’ve been discussing some of the potential insights behind the device here on Blogging Innovation.If you’ve missed some of these articles or would still like to join the conversation before or after the device is launched today, here is a rundown of the articles we’ve contributed to the Apple tablet conversation beginning with the article on the bottom on August 31, 2009:Apple Tablet Won’t Save NewspapersWill Apple Introduce the Innovation Expected from Google?Apple Tablet Won’t Be Runaway SuccessMicrosoft – Apple – Google in Tablet Battle2010 – Year of the Man PurseWhere’s the Innovation Google?Apple Tablet Sneak PreviewWhat Innovation Could an … Continue reading
In a 2006 article, P&G’s New Innovation Model, P&G stated that their open innovation program – along with improvements in other aspects of innovation related to product cost, design, and marketing – made their R&D productivity increase by nearly 60 percent since 2001.When I listen to P&G talks on innovation today, the innovation productivity has nearly doubled and open innovation is a key reason for this.Every company would like to increase their innovation productivity significantly so I am looking into how companies can do this. I am still researching and it would be great to have a discussion here on my blog. A few conversation starters:What does innovation productivity mean?In this video, P&G gives us some insight on innovation productivity including this quote from A.G Lafley: “…the other obvious way we measure innovation productivity is how much innovation do we generate per person and how much innovation do we generate … Continue reading
My kitchen is overcrowded. There is no end in sight as we continue to invent new kitchen gadgets. I have always wondered why many small kitchen appliances are so poorly designed both in form and function. Cooking is an art form and the appliances should reflect that. I’ve spent an hour at John Lewis’ basement looking at their kitchen appliances. John Lewis’ has better designs than what we see at Sears or Macy’s. I guess B&O should start designing toasters. Last year Electrolux Icon appliances and Interior Design Magazine held a competition with winner Marcello Zuffo’s futuristic kitchen that featured movable components that can be reconfigured to adapt to the task at hand and incorporated a contemporary sculptural component contrary to a typically rectangular floor plan. Designing a kitchen is an art, combining form and function while reflecting on the personality of the owner or designer. The kitchen has now … Continue reading
I came across an article talking about some of the reasons why any Apple tablet (iSlate, iPad, iTablet, Macbook, etc.) won’t save the newspaper publishing industry.Keep in mind that when it comes to innovation, it must move through a lifecycle that begins with an insight and ends with adoption. The bigger the innovation, the harder it is to progress through the whole lifecycle, especially the adoption phase. The more innovation introduced in an Apple tablet, the longer it will take to reach mass adoption.The most important points of the article center around potential barriers to adoption of an Apple tablet and their cascade effect on becoming barriers to adoption of a newspaper subscription on an Apple tablet (especially regional or local papers). Here are a few to consider:The high cost of any Apple device (likely to cost $500-700 when purchased with a data plan)The high cost of an acompanying data … Continue reading
I really thought this was perfect sense and showed a good understanding of human behaviour or in this case challenges. Simple, elegant and effective – all things that good Service Design should be.Check the railings that the man is holding onto and resting his foot on. It’s located on a little Copenhagen traffic island where cyclists often wait, reports Copenhagenize.com.The City of Copenhagen has implemented this double railing simply as a convenience for the cyclists who stop here. A high railing to grasp with your hand and a foot railing for putting your foot up, if that’s what you fancy doing. Either way you can also use the railing to push off when the light changes.The foot rest reads: “Hi, cyclist! Rest your foot here… and thank you for cycling in the city.”It certainly is a fine example of the City understanding human behaviour and basic anthropology.Enjoy this post? Subscribe … Continue reading
As companies and organizations pursue innovation to transform themselves from what they currently are or offer, to what they want to become or provide the marketplace, accountability is the rudder that steers pursuits and prevents a wandering, directionless ship.Wikipedia defines “Accountability” as part responsibility and answerability, liability and enforcement, blameworthiness and consequences. “Accountability is defined as ‘A is accountable to B when A is obliged to inform B about A’s (past or future) actions and decisions, to justify them, and to suffer punishment in the case of eventual misconduct.”Whether an independent endeavor or one pursued with the counsel of an Innovation Coach or consultant, accountability within a team is like the principle that guides a group of mountaineers. Each member is tethered to the same length of climbing rope. Each climber lends stability and confidence to the next. But slippage jeopardizes the entire team. One member slips, and while the … Continue reading
