Author Archives: Stephanie Baron
Innovation is not just a matter of getting new products out the door. It is often just doing things in a different way or, even better, doing different things. Some of us are in-novator in that our innovations stay within our organization. It is not an easier process though. We want things to change, people to move on, teams to try on new processes or products but stuff gets in the way. Sometimes even the best of us get weary. Sometimes the best of us get tired of having our ideas rejected. Often we are left pondering: Will we ever get people to do anything differently? So, right in time to include on your Christmas list, here is my selection of popular culture books, film and videos to help us realign with our goal and give us a mental kick in the pants, …
Which must come first? by Stephanie Baron Day one of the EPIC conference convinced us that open innovation, while not being a one size fits all, can be tried and will deliver results in every industry. Chicken first! Day two of the conference embarked us on exploring new business models in those open partnerships systems. We started with a chicken or egg conundrum: If we develop the technology should we also create the need for it? Or is it necessary to first find an unfulfilled need and develop a solution. In short, if we build it, will they come? Keynote speaker, Alexander Blass, of Alexander Blass Int’l, insisted that we must start with a need. Mark Johnson, another keynote speaker for the day, also drove home the point that you have to start with customer value in mind. “That may start by looking at unsatisfying jobs that need to be … Continue reading
Yesterday, the City Winery in Manhattan was closed to the general public as it opened a space for innovation specialists who convened to figure out how we can better commercialize innovation. For three full days EPIC 2010 brings together entrepreneurs and global leaders in R&D, innovation, engineering, strategy, marketing, business development, legal, IP and finance. The conference kicked off on a high note as speakers presented as many facets of open innovation as there are colors in a rainbow. Molly O’Donovan Dix, of RTI International reminded us that innovation requires commercialization otherwise it’s “just” an invention. A point driven home by Terrence McElwee, Director of Technology Transfer and Innovation at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). KAUST is a brand new university, built from scratch in Saudi Arabia. It is the perfect example of what higher education can achieve once a government is committed to fueling innovation. It … Continue reading
