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 100 most innovative companies in the world – fourth annual list compiled by Forbes. “The companies that top our ranking follow a consistent playbook. Find out how it works and why Marc Benioff and Salesforce are no. 1 for the fourth year in a row.”  Read more at Forbes http://www.forbes.com/innovative-companies/

5 reasons 3D printing aids new product development. “Here are five reasons why 3D printing is allowing the manufacturing cycle to hit the fast-track.” Read more from Inside Business http://insidebiz.com/news/3d-printing-5-reasons-use-it-product-development

Not just overused words – how innovation and creativity are related. “Yet probably nothing has had as great an impact as the profound developments that have occurred in Silicon Valley (and the larger technology economy to which it has been central).” Read more from Forbes http://www.forbes.com/sites/berlinschoolofcreativeleadership/2014/08/15/innovation-overload-why-saying-creativity-is-not-enough/

Innovation lessons from transforming Wells Fargo’s customer experience. “Today, Wells Fargo is a well oiled innovation machine. Every six months, Ellis’s team uses the ethnography studies, customer councils and insights gleaned from internal metrics to identify ten priorities.” Read more from http://www.forbes.com/sites/gregsatell/2014/08/15/how-wells-fargo-learned-to-innovate-around-the-customer/

The Devices-Data-Insight-Action loop of the Internet of Things. “The Data itself is the key to unlocking a number of benefits, and how we act on that data. For those who have been involved in business and IT transformation projects before, Deming’s cycle will be all too familiar, and the Internet of Things also has something similar in which we can make more sense of this trend.” Read more from Wired http://innovationinsights.wired.com/insights/2014/08/everything-hyper-connected-internet-things/

3 ways to turn customers into innovation catalysts. “However, opening up the gates and involving users in your internal innovation processes allows you to ideate, create, and innovate alongside them, and develop products and services that not only meet their needs, but fully exceed their expectations. Here are 3 great ways to turn your customers into innovation resources.” Read more from B2C http://www.business2community.com/customer-experience/3-ways-turn-customers-innovation-resources-0976762#!bFmJ1t

Using unconferences  to foster innovation. “Unconferences are about empowering attendees to share their expertise. They give participants the opportunity to have an unfiltered exchange of innovative ideas.” Read more from Forbes http://www.forbes.com/sites/rebeccabagley/2014/08/18/how-unconferences-unleash-innovative-ideas/

10 common brand licensing mistakes product managers can avoid. “Over the past fifteen years, I have seen many licensing deals go south because one of the parties fell into a pitfall that could have been avoided. “ Read more from Entrepreneur http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/236205

A look into the innovation culture at Netflix. “Tawni Cranz, the current Chief Talent Officer at Netflix  says that some of the company’s best innovations have come from giving people the freedom to come up with new ideas and the responsibility to make those ideas work.” Read more from Forbes http://www.forbes.com/sites/dorothypomerantz/2014/08/20/how-a-culture-of-innovation-could-win-netflix-some-emmys/

How Salesforce stays innovative. “Here are three ways [Salesforce] stays on top in San Francisco, the city Benioff calls ‘the most innovative city in the world.’” Read more from Forbes http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkonrad/2014/08/20/marc-benioffs-innovation-secret/

 

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