This blog is all about making product developers, managers, and innovators more successful and their organizations successful with them. As I do each week, below is a roundup of articles around the web with insightful product development, management, and innovation practices, tips, and examples – and sometimes controversial ideas.

Around the Web

The 3 roles needed to make innovation work. “Innovative workforces require a combination of pushers, pullers, and lifters.” Read more from Business 2 Community http://www.business2community.com/business-innovation/internal-innovation-pushers-pullers-lifters-0923753#ZCPu6CbFZs1g3RXj.99

Need some design inspiration – check out the June issue of Design eMagazine. “In this issue: Phi in modern product design, The Drinkable Book, Nimble Scooter, Collaborative Cooking, and much more.” Read more from Design eMagainze http://www.bluelarix.com/newsletters/1406/int_newsletter.html

Should innovators know about competitive intelligence? “Competitive Intelligence (CI) activities seek to combine what we know about today’s marketplace, expectations of near term developments, and early indications of what waits for us over the horizon.” Read more from Sustaining Greatness http://sustaininggreatness.com/2014/06/28/competitive-intelligence-dont-get-caught-looking-in-the-rear-view-mirror/

The Ladder – a Maslow’s Hierarchy 4 Forces Mashup innovation tool. “To use this tool, you first have to identify a segment of customers on whose behalf you wish to innovate.” Read more from Forbes http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucekasanoff/2014/06/28/an-easier-way-to-develop-profitable-new-services/

Innovators need to know about Lean UX – book review. “What is Lean UX? It is a technology development philosophy rooted in two ideas: Design thinking and agile development philosophies.” Read more from Small Biz Trends http://smallbiztrends.com/2014/06/lean-ux-book-review.html

Interview with Clayton Christensen – Innovation in America Slowing? “I talked with Christensen about the current state of innovation in America, and his thoughts on the future of the American economy.” Read more from Xconomy http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2014/06/27/innovation-hub-is-america-becoming-the-next-japan/

Innovation inspiration from industrial design. “The 2014 IDEA winners.” Read more from IDSA http://www.idsa.org/idea-2014-gold-gallery

Is this the future of innovation in big business – buying it? “Look around Silicon Valley and it’s hard to find established companies still devising their next products in-house.” Read more from Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/articles/an-innovation-slowdown-at-the-tech-giants-1404254249?mod=wsj_streaming_stream

3 clear signs that an organization is overdue for innovation. “As the saying goes, better late than never but never late is better so here are some key indicators that your organization may need to start innovating now.” Read more from SoapBox HQ http://soapboxhq.com/blog/new-york-times-innovation-report-signs-reveal-need-innovate/

How to make open innovation work when collaborators are also competitors. “The number one collaboration risk that people tend to mention is intellectual property protection.” Read more from The Star http://www.thestar.com.my/Tech/Tech-News/2014/07/02/Igniting-innovation-Collaboration-prioritisation-and-analytics/

What makes a great product manager – interview with founder and product manager Joe Perez. “We discussed several topics, but focused primarily on his background as a product manager, as well as the evolution of the production, distribution, and monetization of online video.” Read more from Both Sides of the Table http://www.bothsidesofthetable.com/2014/06/30/joe-perez-founder-of-tastemade-on-what-makes-a-great-product-manager-more/

How the marketing department should drive innovation – lessons from GE. “Now, after more than a decade of experimentation, I can share the formula we’ve developed. Tested and proven at GE, it might be similarly effective for other marketers looking to create value and drive innovation in their businesses.” Read more from Bloomberg http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-07-03/innovation-is-marketing-s-job-too.html

From this Blog – The Everyday Innovator™, official blog of Product Mastery Now

Don’t be a Loser – What Product Managers Need to Know about Product Ecosystems: Product Development and Innovation Lesson from the News. “Ron Adner, a Dartmouth College business professor, argues that great innovations can and do fail when product innovators don’t identify the whole environment into which their product is launched—its ecosystem.” Read more at http://www.productmasterynow.com/blog/dont-be-a-loser-what-product-managers-need-to-know-about-product-ecosystems-product-development-and-innovation-lesson-from-the-news/

 

 

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