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

Interview – Groundbreaking ideas from combining concepts from different fields, cultures, and industries. “What is the Medici Effect? It refers to the notion that we have the best chance of creating groundbreaking ideas when we combine concepts from different fields, cultures, and industries. Whatever area you look at—fashion, technology, entrepreneurship—people that break new ground in a field are not necessarily deep experts.” Read more from Xconomy http://www.xconomy.com/national/2014/06/20/innovation-hub-stop-listening-to-the-same-people/

Criticism of Christensen’s Disruptive innovation theory and the examples used. “The handpicked case study, which is Christensen’s method, is a notoriously weak foundation on which to build a theory. But, if the handpicked case study is the approved approach, it would seem that efforts at embracing disruptive innovation are often fatal.” Read more from the New Yorker http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2014/06/23/140623fa_fact_lepore?currentPage=all

Christensen’s first response to the New Yorker’s criticism of disruptive innovation. “Christensen hasn’t responded in writing to the essay, but when I reached him by phone on Thursday afternoon, it was clear he’d been thinking about it.” Read more from Bloomberg http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-06-20/clayton-christensen-responds-to-new-yorker-takedown-of-disruptive-innovation#p1

“Internet of Things” impact on how we think about products. “Just like Steve Jobs did, many executives are going to face situations where an unexpected collection of functionality makes something new possible. The question really is not whether that collection is a product or a feature, but whether it is a business.” Read more from Forbes http://www.forbes.com/sites/danwoods/2014/06/25/how-the-iot-is-transforming-the-meaning-of-product/

Possibility or profitability focus for radical innovation – the Google model. “As someone who’s been involved in marketing breakthrough innovations, I’m convinced Google’s approach is the right one. Google is focused on possibility rather than profitability — a mindset that’s necessary to create innovations that transform categories.” Read more from Bloomberg at http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-23/for-breakthrough-innovation-focus-on-possibility-not-profitability.html

Why innovation does not bring large-scale culture change – a lesson from Pocket Books. “The lesson here is this: technical innovation doesn’t change culture. We often assume that technology will change everything–that technological advancements will make things easier and better and solve larger problems.” Read more from Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-degraff/what-innovation-doesnt-so_b_5522206.html

7 tips for offshore product development. “Offshoring can be low cost, but it’s important not to be low involvement. Here are seven tips on how to get it right.” Read more from Startup Smart http://www.startupsmart.com.au/planning/the-top-seven-tips-for-offshore-development/2014062312566.html

One way Procter & Gamble is using open innovation. “The program was established to ensure that the company’s business innovation leaders consider external expertise and multiple stakeholders’ perspectives.” Read more from Business 2 Community http://www.business2community.com/product-management/smarter-ways-toward-new-product-development-0918610

Examples of how innovators must consider regulation. “All these innovations need to comply with current regulations and, in some instances, might require new regulations to be implemented, but why try to kill these products and services if they cater to consumer needs and contribute to improving society and the environment?” Read more from Wired  http://insights.wired.com/profiles/blogs/innovation-in-regulation-turmoil?xg_source=activity#ixzz35gvyhkz7

Yet again we see that many innovative ideas need time to find their their place – Taco Loco example. “But what if Taco Bell people had thought of Dorito taco shells before? What if they, like almost anyone who has ever had a bag of Doritos or a crunchy taco, had considered the possibility of uniting these two faux-Mexican treats? Read more from The Atlantic http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/06/the-lost-history-of-doritos-tacos-locos/373300/

What product innovators should know about building a good customer experience. “In this day and age, it’s the experience people are buying, not just the product.” Read more from Holland Sentinel  http://www.hollandsentinel.com/article/20140625/News/140629540#ixzz35qVsRu7w

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

Steve Job’s 7 Innovation Secrets: Product Development and Innovation Lesson from the News. “Want to become a more skilled innovator? There are insights to be had by reading about and digesting Steve Jobs’ work. e was human, he made mistakes, he was controversial, but there is no doubt that he was a master innovator with a keen sense of design customers loved.” Read more from my blog http://www.productmasterynow.com/blog/steve-jobs-7-innovation-secrets-product-development-innovation-lesson-news/

Moving into a product role or need to know more about product development and management – read this book because it will help you.

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