Simple Not Simplistic
People who play Personality Poker tell me that they love its simplicity. But what they find most amazing is how this simple “game” can generate profound insights. During a recent event, one participant commented that she learned more about herself and her team in 15 minutes than she had in her previous 15 years. In […]
Innovating in Tough Times
I was recently interviewed via email for a Canadian publication. I was asked 5 questions. Given the journalists deadline, I needed to provide an immediate response. Here are “off the top of my head” answers – without editing. 1. What is your own definition of an innovative business? An innovative business is one that continually […]
Pitchmen, Pain and Positioning
My new guilty pleasure is watching the Discovery Channel show “Pitchmen.” On it are two pitchmen, Billy Mays and Anthony Sullivan, who create and star in direct response ads. These are TV commercials that sell you a product and entice you to call now. Each week, inventors pitch their ideas to Billy and Anthony. Two […]
Jazz, Improvisation and Innovation
What do jazz and innovation have in common? Quite a bit. Many years ago, in 24/7 Innovation, I wrote.. “Most businesses are run like classical symphonies – long, with elaborate compositions (detailed workflows) that leave little room for interpretation. Employees are expected to follow these compositions rote. “Unfortunately, by the time they learn the score, […]
Gossip Stoppers
My friend April Callis just published a nice spiral-bound book entitled “Gossip Stoppers: 101 Insights to Stop Gossip.” Although I don’t think it is available yet for purchase, I wanted to share two of the quotes. Half the world is composed of people who have something to say but can’t, and the other half of […]
What Innovators Can Learn From Poetry
Last night I attended a book launch party to honor Elizabeth Alexander, the poet who spoke at Obama’s inauguration. After some opening remarks, she read her inaugural poem, “Praise Song for the Day.” After her reading, she took questions from the audience of over 100 people. The question (and response) that struck a chord with […]
Measure Innovation NOT InnovationS
Measuring innovation is very different than measuring innovationS (“s” capitalized for emphasis). Let me explain. In our goal-obsessed society, we want to measure everything that moves. In doing so, we feel as though it gives us a grasp of the real world. But is this true? Do measures really provide a lens into reality? A […]
The Updated Innovation Bell Curve
In a previous blog entry on the innovation bell curve, I presented a bimodal distribution curve rather than a bell curve. I did this because I wanted to clearly show the contrast between the existing model and the emerging model. I also did this because I am “graphically challenged” and I could not find a […]
Is Your Organization Anorexic?
The President of a $1 billion company once asked me to describe his organization in one word. My response? “Anorexic.” The Vice Presidents who sat around the table nodded in agreement. They assumed that I meant there was no fat left to cut. That is not what I meant. Anorexics often have relatively “high” body […]
Truck Accident Leads to Creative Ideas?
Today, while driving to New York, I sat in traffic for 30 minutes. Why? Because of the freakiest accident I have EVER seen in my life. The pictures below have to be seen to be believed. Click on the smaller version of each picture to see a blown up version. Look at them one at […]