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

15 ways to test your minimum viable product – product innovators take note. “Once you have determined the hypotheses you need to test with your MVP, here are some of the testing techniques you can put to use to get reliable data from actual users and utilize it…” Read more from Next Web http://thenextweb.com/dd/2014/11/12/15-ways-test-minimum-viable-product/

The skunk work-approach does not create corporate innovation – continuous innovation is needed. “We need to realize that skunk works epitomize innovation by exception. But to survive companies need innovation by design.” Read more from Steve Blank http://steveblank.com/2014/11/11/why-corporate-skunkworks-need-to-die/

Why most tech companies are creating mediocre products. “Most tech companies have a lot of cash. So, how is it that very smart people with a lot of money produce so many unmemorable and even bad products? To understand, we have to examine how product development works in big tech environments . I have lead product development for many goods in the tech world. Let me take you behind the scenes.” Read more from Forbes http://www.forbes.com/sites/chanderchawla/2014/11/12/why-mediocrity-reigns-supreme-in-tech-products/

5 things Google does to stay innovative and adaptive – experiment as strategy is my favorite. “At its core, adaptive leadership is about mobilizing people to tackle challenges for which there are no known or easy answers. It’s a tool to lead consequential change in the midst of rapidly shifting markets and sociopolitical forces. CEOs like Page stay innovative in the face of the predictability their own success has sown by developing an adaptive capacity in five areas: purpose, strategy, structure, culture, and talent.” Read more from Fast Company http://www.fastcompany.com/3038204/how-google-harnesses-the-entire-company-to-stay-innovative

Apply lean product management to create a better life for yourself. “Wouldn’t it be great if we could extract the strategies that go into developing the world’s greatest technological advances and use them for our own personal development? The most common methodology used today to bring about these advances is the lean innovation strategy.” Read more from Fast Company http://www.fastcompany.com/3038272/4-lean-strategies-you-can-use-to-innovate-your-life

Using digital marketing means your websites need to be mobile ready. “In the last few years, Google has been communicating the need for mobile ready sites. Forward-thinkers are already reaping the benefits of creating a mobile-friendly website. If your company hasn’t taken the plunge, Google has publicly stated its intent to make mobile-friendly websites standout in its search results, which may lead to a new ranking factor.” Read more from Mashable http://mashable.com/2014/11/13/mobile-websites-seo/

Why stealth product management beats building a business in public. “At times, staying stealth was challenging — other companies with a weaker product would make noise, and occasionally business would be lost to a company that was making a bigger splash in the press. However, we’ve found in the long term that a better product always wins out. Here’s why it’s worth it to stay product-focused and be patient while you’re in stealth.” Read more from Mashable http://mashable.com/2014/11/13/product-first/

 

 

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