The First Open Innovation?
Today is “Flag Day” in the United States. Since 1960, we have had 50 stars arranged as they appear in the image left. The first flag back in 1777 had 13 stars – one for each of the original states. Since then, according to USA Today, the number of stars has changed 27 times. According […]
Listen to my CODcast
I was recently interviewed for a podcast by Jeff Brainard of “Catch Your Limit Consulting.” His company uses a fish metaphor, hence the “CODcast” name. Clever. In this interview, I discuss the challenges associated with innovation – and tips for success. Enjoy. (interview no longer on website)
How To Build Innovation Networks
According to David Strom, a web/tech expert… “Burger King ran a promotion not too long ago where they asked people to defriend 10 Facebook friends in order to get a coupon for a free burger. They were swamped with thousands of requests, thereby establishing the value of a friend at somewhere around a quarter. That […]
What's Your Twitter Personality Style?
After giving a presentation last week on Personality Poker to a client, one of the other speakers discussed social media and Twitter. The emcee for the event asked me to comment on which personality style uses Twitter. My response was, “All of them. But WHY they Twitter and HOW they Twitter differs.” We designed Personality […]
Podcast: Creating Innovative Products
How do you create products that sell themselves? That is what I will be speaking about at the National Speakers Association (NSA) national convention in Phoenix, AZ this summer. As a way of promoting that event, I was interviewed by professional MC, Camille Valvo, for the “Voices of Experience.” This audio CD is sent to […]
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 […]
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 […]
Climate for Innovation On the Rise
According to a recent study by Chuck Frey at innovationtools.com, 47% of companies say that the climate for innovation has “improved slightly or significantly” since the onset of the global recession. In fact, only a quarter of the respondents felt that the climate for innovation has deteriorated. Surprisingly, only one third of the companies say […]