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

5 ‘easy’ ways to invest in innovation – #4 is my fav –  prove that you’re listening. “How a corporate giant managed to lose the entire market it dominated lies in the Achilles heel of any large organization: lack of innovation.” Read more from Inc. http://www.inc.com/yuriy-boykiv/innovation-the-other-80-20-rule.html

Product managers take note – digital is hot and  “digital” professionals are increasing. “The ultimate fusion between tech know-how and entrepreneurial passion is found in the emerging ‘digital’ professional.” Read more from ZDNET http://www.zdnet.com/expect-to-see-more-chief-digital-officers-and-professionals-survey-says-7000034345/

Innovation lessons from Steve Jobs and Thomas Edison. “Jobs and Edison stand as unstoppable innovation forces with several traits in common.” Read more from Forbes http://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahcaldicott/2014/10/03/epic-innovation-mojo-legacy-making-with-steve-jobs-and-thomas-edison/

Many companies want to create a culture of innovation. How Thomson Reuters is doing it. “As a result, fostering a true culture of innovation in big companies is often an aspiration rather than a reality.” Read more from HBR http://blogs.hbr.org/2014/10/how-thomson-reuters-is-creating-a-culture-of-innovation/

Product management for startups that can’t afford product management. “Living the life of an early stage startup has its challenges. One of the main ones has to be how to evolve and grow a product without much money.” Read more from StartupSmart http://www.startupsmart.com.au/growth/innovation/product-management-without-the-budget/2014100613358.html

Definitions of innovation – not as simple as you think. “We have a general sense of what it is but we know that under cross examination of the evidence it probably wouldn’t hold up.” Read more from Jeff DeGraff http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-degraff/what-is-innovation_b_5939508.html

5 times you need to do A/B testing on your product website. “You’re going to face one or more of these times within the next 6 months. When you do, you’ll be glad you read this article. (Thank me later.)” Read more from The Daily Eff http://blog.crazyegg.com/2014/10/08/when-must-test/

Innovation is not compatible with consensus – don’t waste your time trying to build it. “The problem with consensus is that it’s expensive. And while it’s worth the cost of consensus in the pursuit big, bold moves, it’s often crushing to small experimental ones.” Read more from Harvard Business Review http://blogs.hbr.org/2014/10/the-most-innovative-companies-dont-worry-about-consensus/

From blogger to new product developer – story of Into the Gloss. “Weiss pulls out the photo of a dry-erase board where she carried out her first brainstorm, rattling off what she needed to tackle before sending a single bottle of face cream out into the world: ‘Formulas, vendors, trademark, packaging, graphics, content strategy, marketing, testing, production, shipping, warehousing, customer service, and launch.’” Read more from Fast Company http://www.fastcompany.com/3036837/my-creative-life/beyond-blogging-why-content-creators-are-making-mugs-sweaters-and-moisturiz

Believing in the impossible – a common characteristic of entrepreneurs and innovators. “As a business owner, it’s important to understand that a key driver of business growth and lasting success is effective product development. To most, that means coming up with innovations that improve upon existing products.” Read more from Inc. http://www.inc.com/rhett-power/entrepreneurship-is-about-believing-in-the-impossible.html

 

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