Innovation Insights
by Stephen Shapiro
In my previous blog entry, I discussed how goals can either enhance or detract from performance. Over the years, I have written numerous articles on “The Performance Paradox” that show how an obsession with the future reduces performance in the
This post marks the 500th entry on this blog. Today I want to discuss how to have goals that are not goals. How do you do this? For most people the present is designed to give them a future they
We are in such a fast paced society that we are always focused on achieving our goals. In business, these goals might be hitting quarterly earnings targets, sales quotas, or operating budgets. Even innovation initiatives are goal-driven. We measure ideas
In my book, “Personality Poker,” I had an appendix that discussed the history of poker cards and how this led to the Personality Poker card game. But when it came time for the final printing, the publisher felt that the
“Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?” is an entertaining show. In the world of innovation, the biggest question is, “Are you smarter than a PhD?” Here’s what I mean… In Personality Poker we address four primary innovation styles. The
Tonight I am speaking at NASA’s annual inventors awards banquet. I’m honored to be speaking there again. For those of you who missed it, here was my last presentation to NASA. That time I had only 6 minutes! This time
Last week, I had 3 conversations with 3 different companies. And each had a complaint about the same group of people: lawyers. If you think about it, innovators and lawyers have completely opposite objectives. Innovators want to grow the business.
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1404241268093{margin-bottom: -60px !important;}”] Watch Stephen Shapiro demonstrate some of his creative thinking techniques, including an introduction to innovation styles. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1398978159007{padding-left: 0px !important;}” ts_row_break_parents=”4″ ts_row_zindex=”0″ ts_row_min_height=”100″ ts_row_parallax_type=”up” ts_row_parallax_speed=”20″ enable_mobile=”false” padding_top=”30″ padding_bottom=”30″ ts_row_bg_position=”top” ts_row_bg_size_standard=”cover” ts_row_bg_size_parallax=”150%” ts_row_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” margin_left=”0″ margin_right=”0″ gradient_angle=”0″ gradient_color_start=”#cccccc”
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I view life as a series of experiments. When you look at it through this lens, failure means something completely different. One definition of an experiment is: “A test or investigation, especially one planned to provide evidence for or against
I recently spoke with a new client who shared with me their innovation measures. When I looked at their measurement system, I immediately saw flaws. But before addressing these imperfections, let me first provide you my perspective on innovation measures.
OK, after 2 weeks of sleep deprivation due to manuscript deadlines, I am now back in action here. The final version of the manuscript went to the publisher on Saturday. I then played Personality Poker in Memphis with nearly 100
Last week I spoke at an event hosted by NESTA – the UK’s National Endowment for Science, Technology, and the Arts. The day focused on Open Innovation and had some spectacular speakers including Cheryl Perkins (the former Chief Innovation Officer
This weekend I am speaking at a very cool event! And I would love to have you join me. What: The Ultimate Success Event When: Saturday April 17th, 2010 from 8am to 6:30pm Where: Chateau Cartier Hotel close to downtown
There was an excellent post by Hutch Carpenter. In the article, he asked the question – “Is Crowdsourcing Disrupting the Design Industry?” He makes an excellent case for the value (and pitfalls) of crowdsourcing design work – especially from the
Last year, LG Electronics ran an open innovation competition in search of the next generation cell phone. If you did not enter last year, you have another chance to win $20,000. According to their press release… LG Mobile Phones, the
Nearly 2 years ago, I used open innovation to develop the logo used on this site. I am now using open innovation again to help redesign my Personality Poker cards. As you know, later this year, the Personality Poker book
Brad Kolar is one of the brightest guys I know. He and I worked together in Accenture back in the mid-90’s. He has been a contributor to all of my books. And now he is the co-author of a fascinating
Yesterday I met with Jeff Boudro, the “Director of Really Cool Stuff at Staples.” And from spending time with him, I can attest to this being the truth! Case in point is the picture left… Jeff bought a clock that
Friday I was stuck in New York City. I wasn’t sure I would ever get out. The Tri-State area was getting hammered by a snow storm. I was scheduled to leave at 1PM, hours after the snow began. The airports
Last night I went to a seminar. On the whiteboard, the seminar leader drew an oft-used framework: There are things you “know.” For example, I know I can speak English. There are things you “know you don’t know.” I know
A magazine asked me to write a book review of Innovation Tournaments by Christian Terwiesch and Karl Ulrich. The book arrived in the mail yesterday and I immediately turned to the index to see if InnoCentive was listed. Sure enough,
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