Author Archives: Braden Kelley
When I’m out on the road speaking to audiences about innovation, it is reinforced again and again that innovation has become a buzzword, and much in the same way that people struggle to define love – there is no commonly accepted definition for innovation. Try asking someone: “What is love?” And then see if their definition matches your own. Chances are it will be completely different. Then ask them: Continue reading
I had the honor of keynoting last year at the Imaginatik Innovation Leaders Forum at the New York Stock Exchange in New York City. But, I also had the privilege of hearing great innovation leaders speak from a diverse set of organizations including: Chubb, NYSE, Bombardier, Medco, and the General Services Administration (GSA). Continue reading
People love the idea of ‘accidental innovation’. The term ‘accidental innovation’ is often used to describe the invention of things like penicillin, microwave ovens, Nutrasweet and vulcanized rubber. The stories behind these accidental innovations are intoxicating because they make it seem like innovation can come from anywhere – in an instant. But often people don’t tell the whole story behind these accidental innovations. As a result, people get the impression that innovation is easy, they confuse ideas with innovation, and as a result, a project-based approach to innovation is reinforced. Continue reading
Prevailing business culture these days is obsessed with speed. People are obsessed with fast prototyping, failing fast, and getting to market fast. But too often people don’t stop to think whether their innovation efforts are going too fast. It’s almost as if the word premature is fast becoming as taboo in the boardroom as it is in the bedroom. Continue reading
Much is written about the importance of diversity in teams and also about the competitive advantage that high-performance teams can build for an organization. There is a lot to read about boosting creativity and forcefully injecting different perspectives into the ideation process. But, we don’t talk enough about the roles that are necessary for innovation success. Continue reading
Is the era of innovation over? Or is the war for innovation just beginning? I came across an article in one of Canada’s main newspapers — The Globe and Mail — by Barrie McKenna titled ominously, Has Innovation Hit a Brick Wall? Continue reading
Have you ever wondered why with all of the people trying to innovate, more innovation isn’t created? I’ll give you a hint… Often, something gets lost in the translation between what people think their customers want and what their real desires are. Continue reading
