http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog Wed, 23 May 2012 12:00:54 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1.2 http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/04/18/why-is-innovation-empowerment-so-elusive/ http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/04/18/why-is-innovation-empowerment-so-elusive/#comments Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:00:27 +0000 Paul Hobcraft http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/?p=42500 It is really sad but with all that is written about innovation, discussed, offered as leading, best or emergent practice, the majority still simply don’t get it and if they do, they often are forced to keep quiet about it. It can be depressing to witness. Often you get that feeling the different (and latest) innovation message simply rolls over, a little like the mist rolling in off the sea on a foggy wet day, slowly clawing itself up over a wet rock to suddenly stop and hang there, waiting for... Continue reading →]]> http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/04/18/why-is-innovation-empowerment-so-elusive/feed/ 4 http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/04/01/is-running-a-red-light-dangerous-in-innovation/ http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/04/01/is-running-a-red-light-dangerous-in-innovation/#comments Sun, 01 Apr 2012 21:00:20 +0000 Paul Hobcraft http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/?p=41019 Organizations so often leave their own futures to the last minute by failing to recognize or acknowledge they are running out of time, the situation they have been so use too for such a long time has suddenly changed. Well, for the vast majority, there was nothing “sudden” about it, they simply left it too late, ignoring all the warning signs and they decided to run that “red light” as a last minute panic to catch up and be back in charge of their innovation destiny. Continue reading →]]> http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/04/01/is-running-a-red-light-dangerous-in-innovation/feed/ 2 http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/03/29/innovation-perspectives-insights-and-execution/ http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/03/29/innovation-perspectives-insights-and-execution/#comments Thu, 29 Mar 2012 21:30:00 +0000 Braden Kelley http://www.business-strategy-innovation.com/wordpress/?p=698 For my money, the most dangerous misconception that leaders have is that coming up with a great idea is the key to innovation. This is not the case. Insights and execution are the most important ingredients for creating innovation. As more industries become commodity battlegrounds, success will now be the driven by two key things: Continue reading →]]> http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/03/29/innovation-perspectives-insights-and-execution/feed/ 4 http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/03/27/intervention-points-for-peer-to-peer-innovation/ http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/03/27/intervention-points-for-peer-to-peer-innovation/#comments Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:00:36 +0000 Paul Hobcraft http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/?p=40594 Internal leadership of innovation suffers from exactly the same critical problem that the people working on innovation suffer from, of a lack of time and opportunity to study alternatives, as all are caught up in ‘driving’ their innovation through their internal system. Continue reading →]]> http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/03/27/intervention-points-for-peer-to-peer-innovation/feed/ 0 http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/03/26/were-entering-an-age-of-diy-manufacturing/ http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/03/26/were-entering-an-age-of-diy-manufacturing/#comments Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:00:20 +0000 Derek Singleton http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/?p=41133 In my role as ERP Analyst at Software Advice, I spend a lot of time thinking about how developments in enterprise technologies such as impact manufacturing companies. Lately, however, I’ve been thinking about how some of these technologies (e.g. CAD software, cloud computing, 3D printing) are becoming accessible to the individual. Continue reading →]]> http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/03/26/were-entering-an-age-of-diy-manufacturing/feed/ 0 http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/03/17/applying-the-lean-startup-in-a-corporate-environment/ http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/03/17/applying-the-lean-startup-in-a-corporate-environment/#comments Sat, 17 Mar 2012 16:00:04 +0000 Colin Duff http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/?p=38670 Entrepreneurs & SMEs have gone wild for the "Lean Startup" concept. But the response from corporates has been muted, perhaps because little guidance exists on how to apply it. This article remedies this by setting out practical advice on for effective application in a corporate environment. Continue reading →]]> http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/03/17/applying-the-lean-startup-in-a-corporate-environment/feed/ 5 http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/03/15/reducing-tensions-in-the-layers-of-organizations/ http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/03/15/reducing-tensions-in-the-layers-of-organizations/#comments Thu, 15 Mar 2012 12:00:25 +0000 Paul Hobcraft http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/?p=38639 The really hard part of managing in larger organizations is in managing the layers and competing forces. Often we forget to reinforce acceptable behaviours, we leave role structures lose and incomplete and we set deliverables in often ‘woolly’ ways. Continue reading →]]> http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/03/15/reducing-tensions-in-the-layers-of-organizations/feed/ 1 http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/03/14/overcoming-three-issues-that-stifle-innovation/ http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/03/14/overcoming-three-issues-that-stifle-innovation/#comments Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:00:29 +0000 Robert F Brands http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/?p=39400 There are many factors that can challenge the innovation process. These issues may come from team members, executives, or the general culture of the organization. Here some common challenges that companies deal with, and solutions for overcoming them. Continue reading →]]> http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/03/14/overcoming-three-issues-that-stifle-innovation/feed/ 1 http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/03/06/innovation-is-a-complex-adaptive-system/ http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/03/06/innovation-is-a-complex-adaptive-system/#comments Tue, 06 Mar 2012 13:00:23 +0000 Paul Hobcraft http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/?p=38655 I am going to try to explain innovation as an complex adapative system. Why? I consistently come across many references to innovation. The trouble is I’ve never been fully clear on what does make up a complex system for innovation. I’m not sure anyone does for complex systems either! But I want to establish a direct and clear set of links across to innovation without it involving me in ploughing through incredibly ‘dense’ academic papers on this subject. Continue reading →]]> http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/03/06/innovation-is-a-complex-adaptive-system/feed/ 7 http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/01/03/for-innovators-a-timely-un-serenity-prayer/ http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/01/03/for-innovators-a-timely-un-serenity-prayer/#comments Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:00:44 +0000 Dennis Stauffer http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/?p=32282 As we begin this new year, how personally committed to innovation are you? What are you dissatisfied with enough to find the courage to change it? Which do you value more, serenity or courage? Continue reading →]]> http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/01/03/for-innovators-a-timely-un-serenity-prayer/feed/ 0 http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/12/27/whats-your-new-years-vision/ http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/12/27/whats-your-new-years-vision/#comments Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:00:03 +0000 Dennis Stauffer http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/?p=31644 I’ve never been big on New Year’s Resolutions. I don’t find them very motivating and apparently I’m not alone, judging by the number of people who crowd into my health club in January who are gone by April. Resolutions just don’t stick with me. So I’ve been musing about finding an innovative way to practice this tradition. The answer I’ve come up with: Instead of a New Year’s Resolution, why not a New Year’s Vision? Continue reading →]]> http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/12/27/whats-your-new-years-vision/feed/ 0 http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/12/21/open-innovation-platform-an-exceptional-way-to-experiment/ http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/12/21/open-innovation-platform-an-exceptional-way-to-experiment/#comments Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:00:48 +0000 Clinton Bonner http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/?p=31082 Tinkerers like Edison and the lesser known scientist & inventor Joseph Priestley – the first man to isolate oxygen – understood the value of attempts. One of Edison’s more famous quotes, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” sums up his conviction that experimentation and perseverance are paramount to innovative success. In Priestley’s day (illustrated here) – around the time of the American Revolution – coffee houses supplied the patrons with both the chemical (caffeine) & intellectual (collaborative minds) enhancements allowing for ideas to be spread, repurposed and brought to market, thus creating real world value. Continue reading →]]> http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/12/21/open-innovation-platform-an-exceptional-way-to-experiment/feed/ 0 http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/10/31/teenagers-in-our-midst-why-are-world-class-innovators-so-surly/ http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/10/31/teenagers-in-our-midst-why-are-world-class-innovators-so-surly/#comments Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:54:19 +0000 Dennis Stauffer http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/?p=26499 With the passing of Steve Jobs and with it recent reminders of how not only bright and creative, but arrogant and obnoxious he could be, I got to thinking: Why are great innovators at times so insufferable? Continue reading →]]> http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/10/31/teenagers-in-our-midst-why-are-world-class-innovators-so-surly/feed/ 0 http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/10/02/lessons-learned-at-nasa-patience-and-persistence/ http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/10/02/lessons-learned-at-nasa-patience-and-persistence/#comments Sun, 02 Oct 2011 12:35:27 +0000 Peter Doyle http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/?p=24133 Over three years ago my company MMC undertook a pilot with NASA to see the effectiveness of using rich media to market technologies.  The timing could not have been worse.  As the media was being readied for release the financial crisis of 2008 hit. I remember looking at a first cut of one video on a new fiber optic sensor and the same evening American Express called to ask if I could pay my card bill early because they needed the money.   All the videos were all finished in October 2008. Here’s one video you can view.  The pilot was rolled out into a world where there was a significant possibility the whole business and financial system would collapse.  Needless to say while everyone liked it, we had no bites. This was followed by a stimulus that included no extra government staffing but a 20% increase in the staff … Continue reading →]]> http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/10/02/lessons-learned-at-nasa-patience-and-persistence/feed/ 1 http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/09/27/patently-obvious/ http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/09/27/patently-obvious/#comments Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:43:40 +0000 Robert F Brands http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/?p=23971 A new law signed by President Obama this month could mean a speedier patent approval process for inventors across the country. Continue reading →]]> http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/09/27/patently-obvious/feed/ 1 http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/09/08/from-marginal-to-mainstream-social-innovation/ http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/09/08/from-marginal-to-mainstream-social-innovation/#comments Thu, 08 Sep 2011 17:51:01 +0000 Paul Hobcraft http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/?p=22289 I think the recent global economic crisis has raised society issues far more. Social innovation will begin to move from the margins to the mainstream to tackle a range of these society challenges. It will inevitably need more structural support; it certainly will need more coordination and alignment by all the stakeholders involved. It needs organizing and being recognized in its own right. Are you ready to participate? Continue reading →]]> http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/09/08/from-marginal-to-mainstream-social-innovation/feed/ 2 http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/09/05/the-power-of-ideas-that-touch-peoples-lives/ http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/09/05/the-power-of-ideas-that-touch-peoples-lives/#comments Mon, 05 Sep 2011 11:59:26 +0000 Paul Hobcraft http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/?p=22228 Where we start to engage across society is through the power of ideas that can touch many people’s lives. Through innovation we should always attempt to do this. Social innovation is no different. Eventually through witnessing a change a person sees as valuable in their values, as they want to interpret it a powerful incentive to change. It is a slow process but it has a higher chance of lasting success than forcing something onto someone really reluctantly, that is sometimes sensing alienated by the majority that lie outside their immediate group. For social innovation to work we need to make innovation socially personal. Continue reading →]]> http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/09/05/the-power-of-ideas-that-touch-peoples-lives/feed/ 2 http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/09/04/spotting-the-difference-with-social-innovation/ http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/09/04/spotting-the-difference-with-social-innovation/#comments Sun, 04 Sep 2011 14:24:59 +0000 Paul Hobcraft http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/?p=22282 We need to shift our thinking away from just ‘innovation’ into ‘societal innovation’. Why? Social issues will dominate our thinking in 2011 and beyond.It simply has to as we struggle to manage in ‘depressed’ economies. Social based solutions are very different from economics based ones. Economic ones are more focused on the production and consumption of commodities. For me, social ones has five very distinctive differences from existing innovation approaches associated with the economic ones used in innovation. Continue reading →]]> http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2011/09/04/spotting-the-difference-with-social-innovation/feed/ 2 http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2010/10/29/innovation-perspectives-future-of-working-relationships/ http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2010/10/29/innovation-perspectives-future-of-working-relationships/#comments Fri, 29 Oct 2010 04:02:10 +0000 Jose Mello http://www.business-strategy-innovation.com/wordpress/?p=9392 This is the fifth 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 next perspective in the series: by Jose Mello I believe that we are getting closer to the tipping point of a dramatically change in working relationships between companies and employees. The popularization of new technologies and the terrific growth of accessibility and communication have created new ways of learning and new kinds of professions that didn’t even existed five years ago. What if we didn’t have jobs anymore? What if we were the owners of our own independent companies working one to each other as partners rather than employees? Imagine a future where people are going to become more educated by themselves rather than by schools and universities. The knowledge is going … Continue reading →]]> http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2010/10/29/innovation-perspectives-future-of-working-relationships/feed/ 1 http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2010/10/28/innovation-perspectives-an-algorithmic-future/ http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2010/10/28/innovation-perspectives-an-algorithmic-future/#comments Thu, 28 Oct 2010 04:03:45 +0000 Rocco Tarasi http://www.business-strategy-innovation.com/wordpress/?p=9354 What happens when we are reduced to an algorithm? This is the fourth 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 next perspective in the series: by Rocco Tarasi I think some of the most significant innovations of the next decade will come from the increasing amount of digital information that is available about all of us, resulting in a more perfectly predictive economy – probably benefiting us as consumers, but equally hurting some of us that might be employed as ”producers”. Consider just a small sample of the digital information available about me, not just in what I have done in the past, but also what I will do in the future. Google knows a LOT about me, from the content of my … Continue reading →]]> http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2010/10/28/innovation-perspectives-an-algorithmic-future/feed/ 3