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 solution to the innovation disaster in Corporate America – think small. “A common criticism of big companies, regulated companies, and companies with ‘traditional’ cultures is that they move slower than a snail crawling through peanut butter.” Read more from http://www.wired.com/2014/09/innovation-small-ideas-big-wins/

How Juniper Networks overcame their organizational bureaucracy and increased innovation. “In large organizations, performance and innovation are heavily influenced by the ability to connect people across boundaries and silos. While many leaders recognize the importance of these cross-boundary connections, most do not know how to cultivate them or produce the kind of collaboration needed to obtain desired business outcomes.” Read more from Workforce http://www.workforce.com/articles/20755-deploying-network-talent-to-drive-innovation

‘Collective Genius: The Art and Practice of Leading Innovation’ – book review. “From that innocuous opening, this new study quickly moves to engage the challenges and complexities confronting those wanting to enable innovation.” Read more from Forbes http://www.forbes.com/sites/berlinschoolofcreativeleadership/2014/08/31/review-of-collective-genius-the-art-and-practice-of-leading-innovation/

Another reminder to validate a product concept before developing. “The less than 10 per cent of inventors who succeed in bringing their products to market tend to spend more time developing their customer base and sales and distribution strategies up front…” Read more from The Australian http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/a-better-toothbrush-starts-in-the-garage/story-fn3dxity-1227043581096?nk=87ea1c77e75f501f1e9f50d144ae445a

Is Shamanism the new corporate innovation? “Shaman (pronounced SHAH-maan) is a word of the Tungis people of Siberia, which means ‘one who sees in the dark.’” Read more from Innovation Excellence http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2014/09/03/corporate-shamanism-the-new-name-for-innovation/

Starbucks was nearly a victim of its own innovation. “Amazed by the margins Starbucks was earning on its products, fast-food giants including McDonald’s and Dunkin’ Donuts adopted similar technology, producing espresso drinks that, according to some reviewers, were just as good but considerably cheaper.” Read more from Fast Company http://www.fastcompany.com/3035098/the-future-of-work/how-to-avoid-being-a-victim-of-your-own-innovation

 

 

 

 

 

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