Category Archives: Innovation

Ubiquitous leadership = ubiquitous innovators

in Innovation, Leadership

leadership

Put simply, if a culture of leadership exists, a culture of innovation also exists.

Why? Because the innovation challenge companies face is really a leadership problem. Being accountable for innovation means being accountable for value creation and customer satisfaction. Period.

As I’ve argued before, it is ultimately the CEO/Leader who owns value creation. And, it has to come from within. You have to really want it, because no matter how much you want to, you can’t copy another person’s leadership style. You have your own style. …

What it really means to be different

in Innovation, Strategy

“Differentiation is not a tactic. It’s not a flashy advertising campaign; it’s not a sparkling new feature set. It’s not a laminated frequent buyer card or money-back guarantee. Differentiation is a way of thinking. It’s a mindset. It’s a commitment.” –  Youngme Moon

Differentiation is a commitment to innovation. Period.

The difference between a tactic and a mindset is that when you choose to be different with tactics, you are choosing excuses to be interesting. And, when “difference making” is your mindset, because you act according to your values and beliefs; you don’t have to try to be interesting.

But, sometimes this pursuit of differentiation is confused with technology. Innovation comes in a variety of ways, of course. It isn’t just technology which enable us to do more, there is also processes and even human innovation which can be valuable sources of new value.…

How can we become better thinkers and decision makers?

in Innovation, Question-To-Innovate, Questions

question to innovate

This the sixteenth 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.

“The better decision maker has at his/her disposal repertoires of possible actions; checklists of things to think about before he acts; and he has mechanisms in his mind to evoke these, and bring these to his conscious attention when the situations for decision arise.” – Herbert Simon, Nobel Laureate

There are plenty of ways to make better decisions. But what about when you are dealing with complexity (which we all do)? How can you see the essence of anything quickly?…

You don’t need permission to make things better

in Innovation

make it better

I’m coaching/advising a couple of people on two completely different, but just as important, things. One is competitive strategy, and another is on social media. Recently, both asked me the same question: What if I’m associated with a business/institution I might end up competing with? Shouldn’t I let them know what I’m thinking of doing?

My answer:

If you think it sucks, make it better…

What does it mean to be “innovative”?

in Innovation, Question-To-Innovate, Questions

question to innovate

This the fifteenth 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.

In this week’s question-to-innovate question, I’ll take a crack out of answering a fundamental innovation question: What does it mean to be “innovative”?

We, the #innochat crew, discussed this question and its related questions (see below):…

The two questions at the core of genuine service and innovation

in Customer Service, Innovation

We’ve got to sell our ideas. There’s no way around it. And, we have to advocate for what we are selling. If we can’t, we’re doomed because nobody will believe in us. The catalyst for this, I believe, is a deep desire to make a difference: Our ideas should change lives so profoundly, that people can’t imagine going back to the old way.

But how do we put ourselves in this mindset?…

What is the easiest way to motivate someone to innovate?

in Innovation, Question-To-Innovate, Questions

question to innovate

To make a discovery, to invent something that connects with people inevitably requires time and effort. This often entails years of experimentation, various setbacks and failures, and the need to maintain a high level of focus. You must have patience and faith that what you are doing will yield something important.

For this alone, whether you like something or not, you must have passion attitude, passion and resolve. If you’re not passionate about what you are doing, you will run out of energy and interest. There are many great ways to motivate yourself, but a daily reminder or message on the wall is one of the best techniques. Many have found success from these which anyone can have printed on a canvas. There is a company – https://printsuccess.co – that can take care of printing a message on a canvas for you so everyday is a step closer to your goals.

With that said, the easiest way to motivate someone else to innovate is to ignite passion their passion. Sometimes, all it takes is that you be passionate for others to follow along. Another way to motivate someone, is to stoke the fire in their belly. How?…