Category Archives: Innovation

Harnessing the Power of Diversity

How to Leverage Different Perspectives in Innovation

Harnessing the Power of Diversity

GUEST POST from Chateau G Pato

Innovation is essential for any organization to stay competitive in today’s ever-changing business landscape. Companies need to learn how to empower their teams to come up with creative solutions to challenging problems in order to remain ahead of the curve. Harnessing the power of diversity is a proven way to spur innovation and drive positive outcomes. A diverse team offers multiple perspectives, enabling them to develop creative, out-of-the-box solutions.

Organizations should be committed to creating an inclusive work culture that promotes collaboration and innovation amongst its employees. They can do this by establishing strong values for diversity and inclusion that encourage different opinions and ideas. Companies should also encourage employees to share their own knowledge and experiences; creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust.

With that in mind, here are some tips on how to leverage different perspectives within your organization to drive innovation:

1. Encourage diverse teams: When forming teams and project groups, aim to have a diverse team of individuals who can bring different skills and perspectives to the table. Having a variety of views will foster more creative solutions and lead to better problem solving.

2. Foster an environment of open dialogue: Allowing people to openly discuss their ideas and experiences encourages idea-sharing amongst team members. Create a safe environment where everyone is open and willing to express their ideas and point of view.

3. Promote flexible working arrangements: Allowing for flexible working arrangements enables individuals to work remotely or in different locations, thus leveraging different perspectives. Making sure that everyone can stay connected and access all the resources they need is essential for collaboration and innovation.

4. Leverage technology and tools: Organizations can use technology to promote collaboration and idea-sharing across different locations. Utilizing tools such as video conferencing, online collaboration software, and cloud-based communication platforms will enable team members to exchange ideas effectively and stay connected.

In conclusion, diversity is a powerful source of creativity and innovation. Harnessing the power of different perspectives can lead to improved problem solving and productive solutions. By promoting an inclusive and collaborative work culture, organizations can best leverage different perspectives to spur innovation and drive positive outcomes.

Case Study 1 – Proctor & Gamble

Proctor & Gamble showed the power of leveraging different perspectives when launching their Swiffer mop product. In order to best assess the potential for Swiffer’s success, P&G assembled an R&D team made up of both men and women with varied experience in both household chore and chemical engineering. The team was able to identify potential issues with the product’s use within households and developed creative solutions, ensuring the success of the product in the market.

Case Study 2 – Microsoft

Microsoft showed the power of embracing different perspectives when developing their Kinect game console. Microsoft brought together a diverse team of engineers, designers, and software developers from a variety of cultural, educational, and technical backgrounds, and tasked them with the challenge of developing the console. The team was able to identify opportunities and potential pitfalls of the product, leading to the successful launch of Kinect.

Conclusion

Both of these examples demonstrate how organizations can effectively leverage different perspectives to develop innovative solutions and spur growth. By encouraging open dialogue, embracing flexible working arrangements, and leveraging technology and tools, organizations can best leverage the power of diversity and reap positive outcomes.

One of the great tools I haven’t mentioned that is very useful for increasing the effectiveness of innovation teams is The Nine Innovation Roles created by Braden Kelley, which has been translated into multiple languages and are used by innovation professionals in companies all around the world.

Image credit: Pexels

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Understanding the Basics of Business Model Innovation

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Understanding the Basics of Business Model Innovation

GUEST POST from Art Inteligencia

Introduction

Business model innovation is the practice of applying creative thinking to develop an improved way of doing business. It has become increasingly important in today’s competitive environment as companies strive to remain ahead of the pack. While there are many different approaches to business model innovation, understanding the basics is essential to developing a successful model. In this article, we will discuss the fundamentals of business model innovation and highlight some case studies as examples.

What is Business Model Innovation?

Business model innovation is the purposeful adaptation of an existing business model to create new or improved products, services, and customer experiences. This approach requires that companies use creative thinking to develop creative solutions that will help them to differentiate themselves from their competition. By applying this process, companies can create more value and gain a competitive advantage.

Benefits of Business Model Innovation

Business model innovation can open up a range of possibilities for businesses. Firstly, it can improve the efficiency of a business by reducing costs or increasing revenue. Secondly, it can create competitive advantage by developing unique products and services. Finally, it can improve customer experiences by introducing new technologies or processes.

Case Study 1 – Apple

Apple is a great example of a company that has successfully applied business model innovation. When Apple was struggling in the early 2000s, its main focus was to differentiate itself from its competitors. To do this, they developed the Apple App Store, the iTunes Store, and the Apple Music streaming service. These services allowed them to create new revenue streams and capture a larger market share.

Case Study 2 – Netflix

Netflix is another great example of successful business model innovation. Originally launching as a DVD rental service, Netflix saw an opportunity to offer a streaming service for movies and television shows. In doing so, they disrupted the traditional television system and created a new way for customers to consume media. This innovative approach has allowed the company to remain a leader in the industry.

Conclusion

Business model innovation is an important tool for businesses that are looking to remain competitive in today’s market. Understanding the basics of this approach is key to successfully applying it to develop a more effective business model. By utilizing creative thinking and adapting existing models, companies can create more value and gain a competitive advantage. The two case studies highlighted above provide great examples of how successful businesses have used business model innovation to remain ahead of their competition.

Image credit: Strategyzer

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How to Craft a Strategic Innovation Plan

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How to Craft a Strategic Innovation Plan

GUEST POST from Art Inteligencia

Cross-sector partnering and collaboration amongst organizations have been seen as an effective means to achieve greater innovation that can help propel businesses further. A strategic innovation plan is a comprehensive document that lays out goals and processes for project execution and explains how the company can leverage its resources to make its innovations successful.

In this article, we will explore how to craft a comprehensive innovation plan that leverages organizational strengths and allows businesses to reach their business objectives.

1. Identify Desired Outcomes

The first step in crafting an innovation plan is to determine what the desired business objectives are. Be as specific and detailed as possible, outlining Phase 1, 2, and beyond requirements. This will determine how the company will measure and reward its key players and how it will navigate the stakeholder process.

2. Assess Strengths and Weaknesses

Have a clear understanding of the company’s strengths and weaknesses to guide your innovation plan. This includes internal resources, such as personnel and technology, and external resources, like partner organizations, funding sources, and opportunities. This will also help you identify any potential pitfalls that might derail your plan or areas that need to be addressed in order to maximize success.

3. Evaluate and Analyze Business Risks

With the desired outcomes and resources in mind, it is important to identify potential risks associated with the innovation plan. This includes operational, technological, financial, competitive, political and legal risks. The analysis of these risks will help the company understand what to prioritize during the innovation process.

4. Define Team Composition and Roles

Assess the skills and capabilities of the team members to ensure they are well-suited to bring the innovation plan to life. It is also important to define roles and responsibilities. A structured team with clear responsibilities will result in a better engagement and communication across the organization.

5. Establish an Action Plan

It’s time to set out the action plan to bring the innovation to life. Define milestones, assign tasks, and set out deadlines as needed. Have regular meetings with the team in order to track progress and provide feedback.

Case Study 1 – Johnson & Johnson

One company that successfully implemented a strategic innovation plan was Johnson & Johnson. The company created an innovation team from its R&D, marketing, and supply chain departments to develop new products and services that leveraged the its vast existing resources. The team identified risks associated with the project, used customer feedback to hone the innovation, and created a detailed action plan to bring the project to fruition, resulting in a successful adoption of the new products and services.

Case Study 2 – Frito Lay

Another company that has successfully implemented an innovation plan is Frito-Lay. The company identified its core assets and mapped out a detailed step-by-step plan that defined the objectives, timelines, and team roles for their innovation projects. This blueprint provided a hands-on approach to ensure each innovation initiative was successful and brought value to the company’s customers.

Conclusion

Crafting a strategic innovation plan is an essential step for any business that wants to unlock its potential and unleash creativity. By taking the time to map out the desired outcomes, assess strengths and weaknesses, evaluate business risks, craft team roles and assign tasks, and create an action plan, businesses can ensure their innovation projects are successful. Leveraging the case studies provided in this article, businesses should be well-equipped with the tools to craft an effective innovation plan.

Image credit: Pexels

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The Art of Adaptability: How to Respond to Changing Market Conditions

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The Art of Adaptability: How to Respond to Changing Market Conditions

GUEST POST from Art Inteligencia

Adapting to changing market conditions is paramount for any business that wants to stay relevant and successful. With the rapid pace of globalization and technological advancements, companies must learn how to quickly adjust in order to remain competitive. Now more than ever, businesses must be flexible and agile to respond to shifts in consumer preferences and other market fluctuations.

In this article, we will be exploring the art of adaptability, and the necessary steps businesses should take in order to stay agile and capitalize on new opportunities.

Understanding Change

The first step in remaining competitive in a changing market is to understand the changing conditions. Companies should pay close attention to customer feedback and industry trends so that they can identify and capitalize on potential opportunities. This knowledge will also help businesses anticipate and prepare for upcoming challenges, allowing them to move faster and with greater confidence.

Taking Action

Once the business has identified areas of opportunity, it must then take action to capitalize on them. This may involve shifting internal strategies or launching new products or services. Companies should be willing to take risks and be creative in order to remain competitive.

The speed of implementation is a key factor here. Companies should evaluate the impact of their decisions quickly and adjust accordingly. This could mean responding quickly to customer feedback or modifying existing strategies based on market conditions.

Case Study 1 – Airbnb

Airbnb is one of the most successful companies when it comes to adapting to changing market conditions. After the 2008 economic crisis, Airbnb shifted from a slow-growth business model and started to focus on mass market growth. The company invested heavily in marketing, developed an online marketplace platform, and created a popular rewards program. Through this aggressive growth strategy, Airbnb quickly established itself as a leader in the vacation rental industry.

Case Study 2 – Amazon

Amazon is another example of a company that has been able to adapt to changing market conditions. After the success of its retail business, Amazon expanded into a range of other sectors, from cloud computing to streaming services. The company also invested heavily in artificial intelligence and automation technologies to keep ahead of trends and maximize efficiency. By remaining agile, Amazon has been able to quickly identify and capitalize on new opportunities, and remain competitive in an ever-evolving market.

Conclusion

Adapting to changing market conditions is essential for businesses of all sizes. Companies must understand the changing conditions and quickly take action to capitalize on new opportunities. By staying flexible and agile, businesses can remain competitive and take advantage of the latest trends to remain successful.

Bottom line: Futurology is not fortune telling. Futurists use a scientific approach to create their deliverables, but a methodology and tools like those in FutureHacking™ can empower anyone to engage in futurology themselves.

Image credit: Pixabay

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An Introduction to Design Thinking: The Benefits and Challenges

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An Introduction to Design Thinking: The Benefits and Challenges

GUEST POST from Chateau G Pato

Design thinking has been used to help innovators, entrepreneurs, and companies develop ideas, processes, and products to tackle various challenges, such as customer service problems and market openings. It’s an iterative process that helps individuals and organizations explore, empathize, ideate, and prototype solutions to their challenges. In this article, we will explore the benefits and challenges associated with design thinking as well as provide two case study examples to illustrate its effectiveness.

The Benefits of Design Thinking

Design thinking offers numerous advantages, including but not limited to:

1. Encourages Idea Exploration: The process encourages exploration and experimentation since it allows for unlimited possibilities to be considered when developing solutions.

2. Encourages Collaboration: It helps individuals and teams work together on projects in an open and inclusive manner, which facilitates problem solving and encourages cooperation.

3. Enhances Creativity: Since it focuses on developing innovative solutions to existing problems, it encourages individuals to think out-of-the-box and come up with creative solutions.

The Challenges of Design Thinking

Although the benefits of design thinking are clear, there are some challenges that organizations have to face when implementing it.

1. Its Scope is Limited: Since it is focused on solving specific problems, the scope of a design thinking project is often limited.

2. Time Consumption: As the design thinking process follows an iterative approach, it requires a significant time commitment from individuals and groups to develop solutions that are feasible.

3. Resistance: The process may also be met with resistance from those who are used to traditional processes and methods as design thinking requires a shift in thinking and approach.

Case Study 1 – Spotify

Spotify, a music streaming service, used design thinking to develop an enhanced listening experience for its users. By utilizing the design thinking process – understanding users’ needs, building prototypes to test feedback, and iterating on features – Spotify was able to create personalized playlists and other services that attracted new customers and users.

Case Study 2 – AirBnB

AirBnB, a hospitality marketplace, also used design thinking to focus on the needs of their customers and develop new products. By utilizing empathy and research to understand customers’ needs, AirBnB was able to develop new features such as experiences, photography, and design options that enabled them to create a more comprehensive user experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, design thinking has many benefits, such as idea exploration, collaboration, and creativity, but also has some challenges associated with it, including a limited scope, time consumption, and resistance. However, two case studies – Spotify and AirBnB – demonstrate how design thinking can be an effective problem-solving tool when utilized correctly. We hope this introduction to design thinking has been helpful for you. Good luck!

Image credit: Pixabay

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Overcoming Innovation Roadblocks: Strategies for Moving Forward

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Overcoming Innovation Roadblocks: Strategies for Moving Forward

GUEST POST from Chateau G Pato

Innovation is key for businesses looking to stay competitive and relevant in today’s fast-paced business world. However, many companies can struggle to successfully innovate due to common roadblocks that can get in the way of successful innovation. Whether it’s a lack of resources, time, or a lack of executive buy-in, there are many common issues that can cause roadblocks in the innovation process. In order to move past these roadblocks and foster a culture of successful innovation, it’s important to develop strategies that will help you move forward.

The first step to overcoming innovation roadblocks is to identify the root issue. There can be many different types of barriers, ranging from financial to cultural, so it’s important to take the time to identify where exactly you’re struggling. Once you’ve identified the obstacles in your way, you can develop strategies to move past them.

The next step is to address potential cultural barriers. Leaders should continue to communicate the importance of innovation throughout the organization and emphasize the use of new ideas and solutions in order to streamline processes. To further foster innovation, you can look to external sources such as pop-up shops, accelerators, and idea competitions. Collaboration with an external source will open up new channels of creativity and provide new perspectives on existing problems.

It’s also important to consider how you can best allocate resources to foster innovation. While innovation can take up a significant portion of resources, it’s important to invest in resources that will yield the best results. This could involve investing in personnel, technology, materials, or anything else that can help you produce innovative solutions.

Once you have a strategy in place, you should put metrics in place to measure the success of your efforts. This can help you articulate the success of your innovation projects and further convince stakeholders to invest in the process.

Case Study 1 – BSH Home Appliances

To better demonstrate successful innovation strategies, consider the example of BSH Home Appliances. After encountering a few organizational roadblocks, the company decided to invest in a pop-up shop and challenge local students to come up with new ideas for their products. After seeing tangible results, they have decided to make this a part of the company’s annual innovation strategy.

Atlassian

Another example is that of Atlassian, a software company. To overcome executive buy-in roadblocks, they established an internal innovation program that allowed employees to submit ideas and vote on which ones to pursue. This program has allowed the company to not only generate new ways of working but also measure the success of their efforts.

Conclusion

Ultimately, overcoming innovation roadblocks can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. By taking the time to identify the root issue, creating a strategy to foster innovation, and putting metrics in place to measure successes, your organization can move past the roadblocks and foster a culture of innovation. With the help of these strategies and case study examples, you can begin to effectively innovate and stay competitive in today’s business landscape.

Image credit: Pixabay

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Learning from Failure

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How to Embrace Risk and Succeed in Innovation

Learning from Failure

GUEST POST from Art Inteligencia

Innovation requires individuals and organizations to not only recognize opportunities for development but also the risks involved in potential failure. The key to successful innovation is learning to embrace these risks, as failure often provides invaluable opportunities to grow and improve.

For many people, failure can be seen as a cause of embarrassment, or a sign of shame. However, history shows us that for ambitious and creative problem-solvers, failure often leads to success. Many famous innovations, from penicillin to the light bulb, were the product of multiple failed experiments and experiences. It can be said that successful innovators accept failure as an essential part of the challenge, with each roadblock providing an opportunity to re-evaluate, re-calibrate and eventually succeed.

The following case studies demonstrate how failure can be embraced in order to succeed in innovation.

Case Study 1 – Apple’s First Foray Into Home Computing

In 1979, Apple Computer Inc. released the Apple II, one of the very first consumer-level home computers. Following their success, Apple felt inspired to launch a new product, the Apple III. Unfortunately, due to a flaw in the design, the product was met with customer disappointment, especially compared to their first success. Rather than be disheartened by this failure, the team instead learned from their experience and created the famous Macintosh computer in 1984. Apple had taken the risk to build a new product, and in doing so, learned valuable lessons about hardware and software integration through their mistake, eventually leading to the invention of the Macintosh.

Case Study 2 – Gatorade’s Introduction of Crystal Light

In 1983, Gatorade, a company known for their sporting drinks, decided to create a sweetened drink for non-athletic types. Pitched as an excellent source of vitamins, the Gatorade Crystal Light was designed as a dietary beverage for the active lifestyle. Unfortunately, due to its overly sweet flavor, unfavorable packaging, and ignored target market, the product flopped compared to their existing product. Confronted with this failure, Gatorade instead chose to analyze market research and completely revamp their product. After two years, they re-launched the product with a more natural flavor, sustainably sourced ingredients, and a lighter label. This new version of the product was much more successful and is still available in stores today.

Conclusion

Both of these examples demonstrate that failure is an essential component of innovation, and can be a crucible for improvement. Failure teaches us to recognize which ideas and approaches were successful, and what mistakes to avoid in the future. Furthermore, failure pushes us to remain creative and ambitious, as it continually encourages us to try new things and think differently.

Ultimately, the ability to accept failure and adjust ideas and strategies based on customer feedback is key to successful innovation. As we continue to identify opportunities for increased growth and development, we must approach each hurdle with the understanding that mistakes are necessary, and often lead to learning and improvement. The key is to not be sidelined by failure, but embrace it for all it’s worth.

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Join me at the Global Digital Healthcare Innovation Summit

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Want to learn how to bring a design mindset to healthcare for innovation?

Join me in New York City next week – October 10-11, 2019 at the Global Digital Healthcare Innovation Summit, their annual conference where digital healthcare leaders from organizations around the world will meet to share innovation and transformation best practices.

Download the Agenda

I’ll be doing a keynote and workshop that will give participants insights into how to involve everyone in your innovation efforts, explore the difference between digital transformation and digital strategy, how to incorporate design thinking in a healthcare context, and provide an opportunity to get hands-on experience with The Experiment Canvas™ from my forthcoming Human-Centered Innovation Toolkit™.

The Experiment Canvas™ is one of the many tools that I’ve already created for the Human-Centered Innovation Toolkit™, and it is an incredibly valuable tool for use by people following Design Sprint, Design Thinking or other innovation methodologies to craft and execute experiments.

If you’d like to get involved as a patron or premium sponsor to help finish toolkit development and distribution, please contact me.

Otherwise, I look forward to seeing you next week in New York City!

Connect with me on Twitter (@innovate) to orchestrate a meetup to learn about my work at Oracle or to sit down with me at the event to explore any of the powerful tools in the Change Planning Toolkit™ or Human-Centered Innovation Toolkit™.

Accelerate your change and transformation success

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Are Gas Stations the Future of Starbucks?

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Are Gas Stations the Future of Starbucks?

Recently the Seattle Times published an article from the Washington Post highlighting a gas station in Maryland that has made the bold move of turning off its gas pumps and installing electric charging stations in their place. Which got me thinking…

Given that in the early days of automobiles you had to go to the pharmacy and buy gasoline in open containers before an evolution began to curbside gas pumps before finally arriving at the drive thru format we have today, why would it be crazy to think that we are due for the next reinvention of refueling now that electric vehicles are beginning to catch on?

And what might a “gas” station v5.0 look like?
(the first four generations being pharmacy, curbside, drive thru full serve, and self serve)

Curbside Gas Station

Given that it takes 15-30 minutes to quickly recharge an electric car, a “gas” station v5.0 may very well end up looking like a Starbucks.

Are people going to want to hang out in their cars while they recharge?

Wouldn’t they rather chill out in a Starbucks sipping on a latte (or a hot chocolate) while they wait for enough juice to keep rolling down the road?

So shouldn’t Starbucks be considering entering the “gas” station business?

Or is the somewhat random growth of electric charging likely to continue?

The answer for me is of course both…

In urban environments I would imagine the trend of a lot of one-off charging stations to continue.

But if I were Starbucks I would look at the interstate highway system and consciously set up Starbucks locations next to gas stations and install electric vehicle charging stations as part of the design. That way you get business from the large number of internal combustion drivers and the small number of electric vehicle drivers now, while those numbers gradually invert over time.

Starbucks Electric Charting Station

Maybe Starbucks could even do a deal with Tesla Motors like they did with Fred Meyer (a small superstore chain with groceries that is part of the Kroger family). Or maybe Nissan or GM want to get in on the action instead.

What do you think?

Image credits: Starbucks, American Oil & Gas Historical Society, Chargepoint

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Join Me at Innovation Leader’s IMPACT 2019 in San Francisco

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Join Braden Kelley at Innovation Leader's IMPACT 2019 in San Francisco

Want to find out how to learn fast instead of failing fast?

Join me in San Francisco, CA next month – October 22-24, 2019 at Innovation Leader’s IMPACT 2019, their annual conference where innovation leaders from organizations around the world will meet to share innovation best practices.

I’ll be doing a keynote and workshop that will give participants hands-on experience with The Experiment Canvas™ from my forthcoming Human-Centered Innovation Toolkit™.

If you’d like to get involved as a patron or premium sponsor to help finish toolkit development and distribution, please contact me.

Otherwise, I look forward to seeing you next month in San Francisco!

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