in Innovation
In the past week I’ve had some interesting conversations with colleagues, friends and random people about culture and innovation capability. There are a couple of themes that have come up, one of which I’ll touch on here: feedback as it relates to innovation.
First, let’s put one thing on the table: there is no innovation without experimentation.
Why? Because……
in Innovation, Leadership, Strategy
Questioning, one of my favorite activities. I’ve been spotting a lot of it lately, and that’s good. Whether it’s because we are entering the last month of the year or because people are feeling the need to reflect, we need to be constantly questioning the obvious.
The obvious, if you’re succeeding, should also include this “change your course question” by Rosabeth Kanter: What is going to destroy our business, and are you taking steps to do it yourself before others do it to you?…
Question-to-innovate Series: This the thirtieth 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.
Success hides problems. – Ed Catmull, President of Pixar
This is a question that really interests me, and spend quite some time thinking and contemplating this question. And it doesn’t necessarily have to be an organization, but a person. It is the reason why I worship companies like Disney and Pixar, and people like Michael Jordan and Madonna, they’ve overcome the trap of complacency.
And that, is what I believe it all comes down to: complacency.
This question, doesn’t just interest me, it is a question that puzzles many, but not most. Ed Catmull is one that was puzzled, and figured it out, by why so many successful companies ultimately failed. “I’m thinking, ‘If we’re ever successful, how do I keep from falling into the traps these companies are falling into?” he recalled in a recent lecture at Stanford Business School.…
in Innovation
In the innovation space, we rarely talk about Intuit. Yet, they are supreme innovators. Scott Cook, the founder, says that Intuit is a company of small startups.
Below is a series of tweets, I stumbled on, about how Intuit innovates. It is all quite straightforward, but this will give a visual idea of what a culture of innovation looks like when it is expected and practiced by all.
Hat tip to @SmartOrgInc for sharing these!
Oh yes, what doesn’t irritate me. See here, here, and here.
Although I’ve been referred to as an innovation consultant, I’m don’t consider myself one. For an innovation consultant is one that is well versed in the tools and techniques of innovation, but I don’t believe most have the mindset of an innovator.
And this is where it gets interesting, because there is no innovation tool or method that addresses every situation and every need. The only Swiss Army Knife for continuously overcoming human nature (the enemy of innovation) is a fluid mind, with varied mental models, and the will to never get stuck.…
in Innovation, Strategy
Can you predict the future? Nope. But you can anticipate by asking questions, and therefore shape the future. The key question to ask your self is: what are the key elements that will drive change?
There are three. Of which you will learn about in the following webinar from Stanford Business School.…
in Leadership, Strategy
Why do companies insist on a one-size-fits-all template for strategy? Is it because the MBA types come in with their unimaginative frameworks that speak to unimaginative executives? I certainly think so.
The ones who are at a fault the most, McKinsey, recently published a series of articles about the Art of Strategy. What’s new about strategy in the article?
Absolutely nothing.…