Archive for: September, 2012

Innovation must reads of the week: Are we losing the will to innovate?

If you like these links, check out all the previous “Innovation Must Reads of the Week“. And don’t forget to Follow @jorgebarba

How do you know when it’s time to innovate?

Jorge in Innovation, Leadership, Question-To-Innovate, Questions

This is the third of a series of weekly posts where I will answer a few common questions about innovation. Please feel free to add your own response. Also, if you have any questions you think we should discuss, let me know.

All the time.

The best and most productive activity and organization can do, is to always be thinking about how they will become irrelevant. Think about how you will be disrupted, and disrupt your success.

And, it all starts with the individual:…

What’s your favorite quote about innovation and why?

Jorge in Innovation, Questions

I don’t have just one, but a few. My favorite quotes about innovation come from people who are not in the business of innovation. They are not Captains of Industry. What they are, is cultural icons. Both these people are my heroes, and share the same two initials: MJ…

Critical thinking is an inspiration starter, not a hope killer

Jorge in Innovation

Why does critical thinking have a bad reputation? Is it because it seeks to uncover the truth? Do people think that the truth is negative? Is it because it is a Hope Killer?

I think that criticism is a form of optimism.

@cloverleafinnov wrote a nice post about how to think like an innovator. One thing they mention is how the ability to criticize is valuable:

Criticize. Creative thinking is critical thinking. The question “How can I improve this experience?” is a very powerful brainteaser. Just think of how many products out there solve problems or inconveniences: the remote control, the Swiffer, the Post-it… Next time you are in a frustrating situation like standing in a line which is taking too long, for example, ask yourself the question: “How can I improve this experience?” The answer may surprise you with its simplicity. This is how unpleasant experiences become idea starters.

The ability to think critically is probably the one thing I have trouble transferring over to others. I’ve even said that it is the gap between being truly innovative, to merely coming up with ideas.…

Innovation must reads of the week: The secret phrase innovators use

Jorge in Must reads of the week

If you like these links, check out all the previous “Innovation Must Reads of the Week“. And don’t forget to Follow @jorgebarba

How do you encourage employees to share ideas?

Jorge in Innovation, Question-To-Innovate, Questions

This is the second of a series of weekly posts where I will answer a few common questions about innovation. Please feel free to add your own response. Also, if you have any questions you think we should discuss, let me know.

Good ideas can come from anywhere, but just asking for them doesn’t mean everyone will speak their minds. I think this is where a gap exists between activating innovation and simply talking about it. It’s also why it is important for leaders to be open and share their thought process with others to encourage dialogue.

Beyond the Here are a few more ways:…

Disrupt Success

Jorge in Innovation

From Roger Van Oech’s Innovative Whack Pack:

Hat Tip: Farnamstreet

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