Each week I scour articles, wading through the dogs, and bringing you the best insights to help product managers, developers, and innovators be heroes.

 

10 Best Books on Innovation – ‘Running Lean’ is my favorite for startups to large enterprises. “While perhaps not as well-known as Eric Reis, Steve Blank or others in the ‘lean startup’ movement, Maurya performs an invaluable service in condensing this way of thinking into an actionable and accessible manual.” Read more at Observer Innovation http://observer.com/2015/10/the-10-best-books-on-innovation/

The best corporate innovation teams run like ant colonies, not well-oiled machines — research findings. “These teams were able to quickly adapt to changes in their environment, because they had a set of simple rules and a clear goal, allowing them more flexibility and ability to learn along the way.” Read more at HBR https://hbr.org/2015/10/your-innovation-team-shouldnt-run-like-a-well-oiled-machine 

How to use potential customers to refine a product concept before development begins. “Collecting direct feedback from customers isn’t just a nice-to-have, it has become the foundation of our research methodology and product launches.” Read more at Forbes http://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2015/10/28/want-to-drive-innovation-talk-to-your-customers/

Unsettle your team to create innovation opportunities. “If you create a workplace culture where everything is open to discussion, authority and ideas may be challenged, and mistakes are almost bravery, then you may be on your way to innovation.” Read more at Lead Change http://leadchangegroup.com/corporate-innovation-through-daring-personal-disruption/

How to make a great impression with your 1.0 product version. “The good news is that customers can overlook a very basic design if your product offers them a real solution to their problem. What they will not easily forgive is a product that has all style and no substance, especially one that fails to deliver on its promises.” Read more from Brian de Haaff http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-de-haaff/how-product-managers-make_b_8377570.html

Top-10 innovation sins – #6 is my fav – overcomplicating products. “Overcomplicating your product is another innovation sin. This is a sin for two reasons. The first is that thinking too much about the details will blur the bigger picture. The second reason that it is a sin is because it will often turn customers off from your product.” Read more from Entrepreneurial Insights http://www.entrepreneurial-insights.com/top-innovation-sins-how-to-avoid-them/

Highlights of the 2015 Global Innovation 1000 study. “An overwhelming 94 percent of the world’s largest innovators now conduct elements of their R&D programs abroad, according to the 2015 Global Innovation 1000 study, our annual analysis of corporate R&D spending. These companies are shifting their innovation investment to countries in which their sales and manufacturing are growing fastest, and where they can access the right technical talent.” Read more at Strategy+Business http://www.strategy-business.com/feature/00370