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Innovation Insights by Stephen Shapiro

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Invisible Solutions Launches Today

I am thrilled to announce that my 6th book, Invisible Solutions, is officially available today.

You can get a copy at Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, IndieBound, and other retailers.

And if you are outside of the US, it appears that Amazon is selling the book globally. You can also buy it at most independent bookstores.

The audiobook version will be available shortly.

Thank you in advance for purchasing the book.

And if you like it, please write a review on Amazon and share it with your friends.

Here’s a quick testimonial from a fellow speaker and a good friend who provided his honest feedback.

Enjoy!

Why You’re Missing an Opportunity for Innovation–and It’s Huge

Innovation is an analytical process that involves more than just the creative few on your team…

When you think about innovation, there are usually a few creative people on your team that you turn to first for a conversation. But if those few individuals are valued more than others, you’re missing a huge opportunity. The reality is, every person in every department and function is part of the innovation team. It is not limited to right-brained creative people.

Don’t make the mistake of excluding all the people who can greatly contribute to your organization’s innovation efforts: left-brained analytical people. Engineers, technologists, accountants, lawyers, and the like. (I’m an engineer by education and a self-proclaimed left-brained nerd. And while the left-brain, right-brain dominance concept has been debunked, I find it useful to describe the different ways people think.)

Innovation is a process that starts with an important problem or opportunity and ends with something that adds value. It is not just about how many ideas you come up with, which is often equated with creativity.

To make sure your innovation efforts succeed, try involving the analytical people on your team in these three ways.

1. Focus on the right problems.

Innovation starts with data. You want to make sure you are solving the right problems and analytical people are best positioned to help you answer some important questions. What data will help you identify the greatest returns on your investment? Where can you get the most value with the least amount of effort? What will give you a sustainable competitive advantage? To know if you are targeting the right opportunities, you need information. The best people to provide this are your left-brained number crunchers.

2. Reframe your challenges.

Continue reading >>

Creating Enablement Tools

Are you a service-oriented business?

Are you looking to create products to support your business?

If so, this 2:45 video will provide a framework to help you create the greatest value for your customers – while helping you scale your business.

Visit www.InvisibleSolutionsBook.com to learn more about the book I refer to in the video.

 

The Book that Took 9 Years to Publish

Invisible Solutions

One week from today, my 6th book, Invisible Solutions, will be released.

I’ve been asked, “How long did it take to write the book?”

The answer is, “It depends.” It depends on how you look at it.

December 2 – 10, 2018, I locked myself in a hotel room and started working on the book. Although I left the hotel with the first version of the manuscript, it took a lot longer to write than just one week. In fact, upon reflection, the book took nine years to write and publish. Hopefully this article will serve as inspiration (and education) to others who want to publish a book. Enjoy!

March 2011: I submitted the final manuscript to Penguin for Best Practices are Stupid. It covered a wide range of topics related to innovation: strategy, organization structures, measures, technology, and more. One  particularly important topic was the need to ask better questions. Although I addressed why this was critical, I realized I never give readers specific tools on how to do this.

April 2011: Almost immediately after submitting the manuscript, I conceived the concept of a “Challenge Toolkit.” The idea was to create a database of “lenses” that would help people reframe their challenge statements. The database would be supported by flashcards, videos, and an expert system. The intention was to create a product that would enable users to master the process of asking better questions, taking what I did naturally and systematize it.

May 2011: I created a spreadsheet cataloging a number of lenses. Over time I added to it, collecting dozens of them. The list grew over time. Admittedly, some were better than others. Continue reading >>

Innovation vs Problem-Solving

Language is important.

Although I’ve spent 25 years focused on innovation, not everyone likes that word.

In this 1:56 video, I share why I often use the term problem-solving instead – and how that perspective can accelerate change in any organization.

Learn more about my latest innovation book at www.InvisibleSolutionsBook.com.

 

Solutions without Consultants

I come from a consulting background having spent 15 years with Accenture. The work we did (and they still do) is incredibly valuable. But not all companies can afford Accenture or McKinsey.

So when I was asked, what problem did I hope to solve with Invisible Solutions, I revealed that I wanted to help people solve their own problems.

Watch this 1 minute 32 second video for more insights. And visit www.InvisibleSolutionsBook.com to learn more about my book.

Invisible Solutions Video Book Introduction

When you buy a book, you have options: print book, e-book, or audio book.

But did you know that soon you will have the opportunity to buy video books?

I’m working with Primeau Productions to create this new product for Invisible Solutions. It is like an audio book that includes elements for visual learners such as b-roll, graphics, animations, and highlighted words. Music and sound effects enhance the experience.

I am pleased to share the first 3:30 of the video book for Invisible Solutions. For those who know me, you’ll get a kick seeing me in nerd glasses and a bowtie.

The print book is available for pre-order. Buy your copy here: Invisible Solutions.

Enjoy!

Beyond the Suggestion Box

I was recently asked, “What’s an example of a problem/question people ask that doesn’t yield the desired results.”

My response was the default question associated with most suggestion boxes.

Here’s my full response (1 minute 46 seconds)

Problem Reframing

To find better solutions, the key is to stop looking for solutions. Instead, you want to look for better problems/opportunities. Only when you identify the “right” problem can you consider potential solutions.

In this 1 minute 42 second video, I explain the power of the reframe.

Left-Brained Innovation

Contrary to popular belief, innovation is not a right-brained creative endeavor. It is a left-brained analytic process. In this 2 minute 36 second video, I provide background on why I believe this to be true.

This is discussed further in my upcoming book, Invisible Solutions: 25 Lenses that Reframe and Help Solve Difficult Business Problems.

P.S. The left-/right-brained concept has been debunked. We all have whole functioning brains. I uses these terms as short-hand to describe the way certain people think. 

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