Monthly Archives: October 2010
Enhancing Customer Experience Can Lead To Business Growth by Roy Luebke One critical area for a business to focus its innovation efforts is customer experience. In the digital environment this is also referred to as the user experience. Physical or digital experience notwithstanding, given the past two years of economic disruption, marketers face a new set of drivers that will determine the types of experiences people may desire in a foggy future. As consumers become more price conscious, private label products are enjoying some economic growth. Consumers are observing that private label product performances are acceptable and it is highly possible consumers won’t return to higher priced brands in the future. The current economic challenge feels different than previous economic slowdowns. It is possible that the consumers’ collective approach to buying products and services has permanently changed due to the nature of the global economic collapse. This recession has …
Who says there is no such thing as free speech? (well, nearly free) From now thru December 31, 2010, if you are one of the first five organizations to buy 100 copies of my new book – Stoking Your Innovation Bonfire – I will waive 100% of my normal speaking fee to come and deliver a keynote or workshop at your organization or event (travel expenses still apply). OR, if during the same time period you are one of the first five organizations to buy 50 copies of my new book – Stoking Your Innovation Bonfire – I will waive 50% of my normal speaking fee to come and deliver a keynote or workshop at your organization or event (travel expenses still apply). Click here to take advantage of this offer. OR, you can catch me talking about the book at one of the following upcoming events in November: November … Continue reading
Innovation is more than just generating ideas. Most organizations have more than enough ideas. They might need better ones, but usually they need to get better at selecting ideas, executing ideas, and diffusing ideas. The irony of this situation is that there are a lot of techniques around (and consultants that use them!) designed to help generate ideas, but not nearly as many available for the more difficult steps. So it’s been really nice to run across two different methods that can be used to select ideas this week. The first is from the book Gamestorming by Dave Gray, Sunni Brown, James Macanufo. I’m only partway through the book, but so far it is pretty good. The basic premise is that games are the best way to unlock peoples’ capacity for creative thinking. After a brief introduction of some the thinking that justifies the premise, the bulk of the book … Continue reading
This is the first of several ‘Innovation Perspectives’ articles we will publish this week from multiple authors to get different perspectives on ‘Thinking about the future: what big innovation do you expect within 10 years?’. Here is the initial perspective in the series: by Tim Woods When you think about the next 10 years for innovation, and what big discoveries will come, it’s tempting to think of specifics: exciting new products, new game-changing technologies, emerging market spaces, or what products Apple will invent. But I think the biggest innovation will be far simpler, with far more reach and impact than any specific product or technology. It will be the practice of innovation management itself. Back in 2001, the innovation management space was fit only for early adopters who were willing to invest serious time and effort into understanding the complex problems of engaging large amounts of employees, voluntarily, to help … Continue reading
I knew I was in trouble the moment he smiled. All I could see were four metal teeth — the front ones — the ones people use to bite things. Like an apple. Or the head of an outside consultant teaching a class on creativity to 24 managers at AT&T. His nametag said “John Andrews,” but when it was his turn to introduce himself, it was “Master Staff Sergeant John Andrews, Fourth Battalion.” Apparently, the man was still fighting the Vietnam war — and, by the look in his eye, it was clear he couldn’t quite tell what side I was on. Unlike the other participants, John was wearing a suit and a tie — a tie tied so tight it seemed as if the veins in his neck would explode. With great respect, I invited John to remove his tie, explaining that relaxation was one of the pre-conditions for … Continue reading
One area of thinking around innovation that doesn’t get much attention is how ownership and governance affects the ability of an organization to be innovative. It’s an issue that’s been playing on my mind for a few years but a recent conversation has prompted me to write down some ideas. First. I’ll just outline the conversation and then I’ll put down a few thoughts about links between corporate governance and innovation. Andrew had been the innovation manager for a particular firm for a number of years. We never really collaborated on any projects but we often catch up over a cup of coffee to swap ideas. Earlier this year, I heard that he had left the company which surprised me because the company is known for its emphasis on innovation as a way of competing and generating new lines of business. Without appearing to be too blunt, I asked him … Continue reading
