Each week I scour articles, wading through the dogs, and bringing you the best insights to help product managers, developers, and innovators be heroes.

Product Innovation Tips Around the Web

Adobe driving innovation culture by putting it in a box – the Kickbox. “Adobe Systems has recently launched a program to drive innovation from within, the Adobe Kickbox. The Kickbox is a small, red cardboard box containing everything an employee needs to generate, prototype, and test a new idea.” Read more at Harvard Business Review https://hbr.org/2015/02/inside-adobes-innovation-kit and additional information at Forbes http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacobmorgan/2015/02/25/the-innovation-game/

The 6 embedded systems building blocks for the Internet of Things. “It’s difficult to overstate the importance of being able to use common operating systems and programming languages to develop prototypes and production systems for the Internet of Things.” Read more from Information Week http://www.informationweek.com/6-internet-of-things-building-blocks/d/d-id/1319149

Good advice for developers considering moving to product management – not just for coders. “Is staying a software engineer your whole life a good career choice? You’ll probably want to go into management or, at least, some sort of technical and architectural leadership.” Read more at Forbes http://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2015/02/22/theres-a-payoff-in-being-a-lifelong-technologist/

8 types of business innovation – product is only one. “Although it is not restricted to these headings, in the list below are eight categories that can provide some very useful context for a business discussion on innovation in particular to occur.” Read more at Ready to Manage http://blog.readytomanage.com/8-key-areas-of-business-innovation/

Operational 3D-printed jet engine – micro manufacturing is advancing quickly. “Researchers at Monash University, in collaboration with their spin out company Amaero, have created the world’s first 3D-printed jet engine, possibly revolutionising the design and cost of aerospace materials.” Read more at the Daily Mail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2969887/Would-trust-jet-engine-came-PRINTER-Engineer-designs-world-engine-cutting-edge-technology-Boeing-Airbus-shown-interest.html

You are wasting your time building a product roadmap at the conceptual stage. “…Now you’ve got a validated product in the marketplace with a decent first-pass roadmap that you can build upon.” Read more at Street Smart product Manager http://streetsmartproductmanager.com/2015/02/23/no-i-cant-give-you-a-roadmap-for-our-new-product/

7 habits of highly agile companies. “Here are seven lessons learned from the last dozen years: (1) Stay true to the mission…” Read more from CNBC http://www.cnbc.com/id/102439999

How to determine if your idea is good – for entrepreneurs and product managers. “What I want to talk about is how to determine whether your idea solves a problem or creates new value for the world. Literally, the day you come up with your idea, what do you do? Here are the steps that I try to follow when pursuing an idea I have.” Read more at BostInno http://bostinno.streetwise.co/2015/02/24/market-research-new-product-development-and-startup-execution/

4 things for a successful innovation program. “Organizations are no longer trying to ‘keep up with the Jones’, but rather, now understand that unless they innovate, they will crumble beneath the competition. Innovation is easier said than done, but with the right innovation management program and a well thought-out approach, organizations can succeed in this difficult task.” Read more at Innovation Excellence http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2015/02/24/4-essential-features-for-running-an-innovation-program/

Still Important – Product Management Flash from the Past

Best 1-minute innovation video – love it – watch it! “These commercials are the best we have ever seen on innovation and well worth the one minute it will take you to view them.” Read more at Value Innovationshttp://valueinnovations.com/the-innovators-club-a-1-minute-video/