How to conduct a braimstorming session

Before brainstorming session:

·         Define a one sentence clear and focused objective.

·         Choose participants

o    Select a diverse and eclectic team

o    assign leader role (who is also a timekeeper)

o    assign script role (to write ideas on whiteboard)

·         Prepare material

o    whiteboard

o    clean wall

o    lots of post-it notes and markers

During actual brainstorming session:

1.     Write the one sentence clear and focused objective on white board

2.     Let wild ideas flowing

·         script writes ideas as they come on another whiteboard (meanwhile ideas are also written on post-it notes)

·         probably ideas will start with the most rational ones, but don't stop at the 1st good idea that comes, spend more time than you think, letting people write and post their ideas

3.     Classify/group ideas written on post-it notes by main topic

4.     Precise/detail main objective in SMART statements

5.     Remove ideas that cannot fit SMART objective 

6.     Vote on remaining ideas

7. Assign actions items to follow on most promising ideas

generating Innovation by linking different fields

About the T9 inventor:

King had an uncanny ability to look at problems from various angles, discovering new ways to solve complex issues, recalled Mason Boswell, a Seattle patent attorney who worked closely with the inventor.

“He would often ask questions that connected two fields in a way I had not thought of but that clearly pointed the way to interesting innovation,” said Boswell. “He also had a point of view five to 10 years into the future, thinking about devices in a way that transcended current hardware limitations and going more to what could be common down the road.”

Read http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/09/martin-king-t9-dies

Read also about Triz: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRIZ

Creativity is not top priority for the emergence of an innovation culture

Posted by: innovtoday @ http://innovtoday.wordpress.com/2010/07/06/creativity-is-not-top-priority-for-the-emergence-of-an-innovation-culture/

An injection of creativity serum for all employees – if such a thing was ever invented – is not what the enterprise seeking to become more innovative needs ... So, if it is not creativity, what will make the difference? My top-three critical success factors are:

* Setting the strategic challenge
* Getting out and making connections
* Driving ideas through the stage-gate.

Apple an innovative company

By John C. Dvorak 

In Apple: Selling Ice Cubes to Eskimos

From the iPod to the iPhone to the iPad, Apple has a nearly perfect track record of re-energizing lackluster product spaces.

Apple is doing nothing more than addressing exactly what is wrong with all of the previous initiatives.

An History Of Inventors

Good insight into inventors personality and more generally on the way innovation occurs.

An History Of Inventors

View more presentations from hervelegenvre.

Innovation: a bunch of posts that I appreciated

Innovation for the Long Term (Three Horizons model)

3 Horizons:

• Horizon 1: Extend and defend core businesses
• Horizon 2: Build emerging businesses
• Horizon 3: Create viable options
  

How this could apply to Google for instance:

• Horizon 1: Extend and defend core businesses
• web search, adwords, gmail...
  
• Horizon 2: Build emerging businesses
• google docs, cloud computing...
  
• Horizon 3: Create viable options
• Solar Panel Project
• Google Improving Mirror Technology For Making Solar Concentrators 2x Cheaper
• ...
  

5 Questions That Kill Innovation: A How-to Guide

• How can we leverage our core competencies to tackle this new market?
• How much money can we make and whats the plan to make it?
• Have you done enough research on the idea and do you need more money to make it happen?
• Who else is doing this, and if no one is, why?
• How big is the market and will consumers want this solution?

Innovators and followers: who wins? What does it take to be a successful follower?

• observe
• build something somewhat different
• experiment and learn faster

 

Using rivalry to spur innovation

Less in line with mainstream R&D practices: the degree to which Renaissance creativity was built on professional rivalries—like the ones between Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian—that are commonly viewed as some of the most productive in history. It may be that by overlooking the potential of rivalry, modern R&D organizations are missing an opportunity to promote ground-breaking innovation.

Innovation Quotes: expert wisdom

From: "1486 ...so many centuries after the Creation it is unlikely that anyone could find hitherto unknown lands of any value.

Committee advising King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain regarding a proposal by Christopher Columbus."

To:"1981 640K ought to be enough for anybody.

Bill Gates"

Incorrect predictions @ wikipedia

Famous Authoritative Pronouncements


"The horse is here to stay, but the automobile is a novelty - a fad" A banker advising Henry Ford's lawyer not to invest in the Ford Motor Co.

"If I had asked my customers what they wanted, they'd have asked for a faster horse." Henry Ford

"Television won't be able to hold on to any market it captures after the first six months. People will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box every night." Darryl F. Zanuck

"Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?" Harry M. Warner, Warner Bros Pictures, 1927

"Everything that can be invented has been invented." Charles H. Duell was the commissioner of the United States Patent and Trademark Office in 1899 (seems to be apocryphal, but anyway...)

Singin' in the Rain - A film about Innovation

"Singin' in the Rain" is a film about innovation. The possibility to synchronize sound with images in the 1920's was a major overhaul for Hollywood film industry.



During the film.

We can see how people react to innovation when a "talkie" is presented during a private event. A quote excerpted from that time: "Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?" Harry M. Warner, Warner Bros Pictures, 1927

Don Lockwood is able to adapt to this new environment while Lina Lamont, who is good looking but features an awful high pitched voice, cannot do it.

OK, Innovation is here, but the 1st version of the talkie is awful. Then the participants find a way to really take advantage of this new technology by recording sound and film separately and then post synchronizing both afterwards. "Genius is one percent inspiration, and ninety-nine percent perspiration." Thomas Edison

There are also several brainstorming sessions. "To have a great idea, have a lot of them." Thomas Edison

Then a final battle occurs between the "voice" and the "image" that do not come from the same person anymore. Innovation triggers new challenges.

By the way, it's really a great film...

invention is not innovation

"To turn really interesting ideas and fledgling technologies into a company that can continue to innovate for years, it requires a lot of disciplines." Steve Jobs

There’s often a gap between the invention of something and the point where it becomes an innovation. The computer mouse was invented at Stanford University in 1968, and the Graphical User Interface that takes full advantage of the mouse was invented at Xerox’s PARC labs shortly after that. But neither really became an innovation until they were both included in the Xerox Star PC in 1981. That’s about a 12 year gap between invention and innovation – and gaps like that aren’t unusual.

"Genius is one percent inspiration, and ninety-nine percent perspiration." Thomas Edison

read further: http://timkastelle.org/blog/2009/10/invention-is-not-innovation/

"Think of invention as the laying of an egg, innovation as the laying, incubating and hatching." Gordon Graham

Here are some excerpt that I found interesting from the discussion "invention is not innovation" that I initiated on LinkedIn:

• Gideon Gimlan wrote: 
• "Invention" is supply-side centric; and
• "Innovation" is consumption-side centric.
• Ken Jacobsen wrote: "Innovation is the packaging of invention"
• Siddharth Shah wrote: "When does an invention become an innovation:
  1. At concept stage (for sure not)
  2. Design Phase
  3. prototyping/ development Stage
  4. Trial phase
  5. Market introduction stage
  6. Acceptability stage??"

 In http://www.isu.uzh.ch/entrepreneurship/Teaching/FS10/FS10/Chapter1Thearrivalofinnovation.pdf you can read:
Invention then Innovation then Diffusion

The idea: science base → basic research → applied research → invention →
prototype → development → commercialization → diffusion → technical
progress → economic growth
(Sometimes the entire process in red is referred to as innovation)

My comment: failed innovation can stop at any step, and as a matter of fact there are often desisions to be taken when going from one step to another.


Some Other "Innovation Quotes"

Innovation Quotes: Selecting the right innovation

“Don't confuse the art of the possible with the art of the profitable.” David Tansley

"To have a great idea, have a lot of them." Thomas Edison

“We are surrounded by engineers' folleys: too many technical solutions still looking for problems to solve.” David Tansley

How Do Innovators Think?

The first skill is what we call "associating." It's a cognitive skill that allows creative people to make connections across seemingly unrelated questions, problems, or ideas.

The second skill is questioning — an ability to ask "what if", "why", and "why not" questions that challenge the status quo and open up the bigger picture.

The third is the ability to closely observe details, particularly the details of people's behavior. Another skill is the ability to experiment — the people we studied are always trying on new experiences and exploring new worlds.

And finally, they are really good at networking with smart people who have little in common with them, but from whom they can learn.

read the rest here: How Do Innovators Think?

Where does innovation applies?

Innovations are not only technical, but they can be also marketing related for instance. I found that Professor Mohan Sawhney had the best approach for describing the areas where innovations can occur. He lists 4 main areas:

• Product Innovation - WHAT
• Customers Innovation - WHO
• Process Innovation - HOW
• Channel Innovation - WHERE
  

These 4 main innovation areas can be mapped to further sub-areas:

The way innovation is managed in some famous companies is then measured against these areas and sub-areas, in the paper Professor Sawhney wrote. He uses an "innovation Radar" for innovation measures.

Just as an illustration of this "Object of innovation" chapter, I would like to comment this quote from Steve Jobs, CEO from Apple:

"Pretty much, Apple and Dell are the only ones in this industry making money. They make it by being Wal-Mart. We make it by innovation." Steve Jobs

Dell innovated and excelled primarily in the "Channels area". "Being Wal-Mart" is also innovation, but not technical innovation as usually understood. By the way, innovation at Apple is also not only technical innovation. Apple stores are also a mix of "Channels" and "Customer experience" innovations.

Change awareness is the source of innovation

"Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?" Harry M. Warner, Warner Bros Pictures, 1927

"The discipline of innovation", by Peter Drucker, lists several types of innovation divided in 2 groups: sources from inside companies or industry and external sources, such as incongruities, demographic changes or new knowledge. An example of a technological change triggering innovation was the arrival of mature sound film technology in years 1920s.

If I had asked my customers what they wanted, they'd have asked for a faster horse. Henry Ford

Innovation comes from or is influenced by culture, resources, infrastructure or process.

Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable. William Pollard

Basically, change and awareness to change occurence in various areas (market, technical, culture) is the source of innovation. Changes in those areas that you are not aware of, are useless.

The things we fear most in organizations: fluctuations, disturbances, imbalances are the primary sources of creativity. Margaret J. Wheatley

The Chinese word weiji (危機 translated as "crisis") is often said to be composed of the characters for "danger" and "opportunity".

The goal is to take advantage before others of these opportunities and to build innovation above.

I consider high-speed data transmission an invention that became a major innovation. It changed the way we all communicate. Dean Kamen

My innovation involved taking an idea from the telecommunications and banking industries, and applying that idea to transportation business. Frederick W. Smith

Some innovations trigger an endless chain of subsequent innovations. That is what is usually called "humanity's progress".

Innovation Quotes: Brainstorming

"The problem is never to get innovative ideas in your mind , but how to get the old ones out."

"We can believe that we know where the world should go. But unless we're in touch with our customers, our model of the world can diverge from reality. There's no substitute for innovation, of course, but innovation is no substitute for being in touch, either." Steve Ballmer

"My innovation involved taking an idea from the telecommunications and banking industries, and applying that idea to transportation business." Frederick W. Smith

"The metaphor is perhaps one of man's most fruitful potentialities. Its efficacy verges on magic, and it seems a tool for creation which God forgot inside one of His creatures when He made him." Jose Ortega y Gasset

"But an innovation, to grow organically from within, has to be based on an intact tradition, so our idea is to bring together musicians who represent all these traditions, in workshops, festivals, and concerts, to see how we can connect with each other in music." Yo-Yo Ma

"The mind ought to sometimes be diverted that it may return the better to thinking." Phaedrus

"Don't try to come up with the proper answers ; target coming up with good questions." Stanford professor Bill Lazier

"Every act of creation is first of all an act of destruction." – Pablo Picasso

Innovation Quotes: Setting an innovation friendly environment

"Innovation comes from the producer - not from the customer." W. Edwards Deming

"We need a positive economic agenda that invests in the innovation and growth that will create jobs for middle class families and ensure that America remains the world leader." Rick Larsen

"This is the nature of genius, to be able to grasp the knowable even when noone else recognizes that it is present." Deepak Chopra

"The innovation point is the pivotal moment when talented and motivated people seek the opportunity to act on their ideas and dreams." W. Arthur Porter

"The greatest obstacle to innovation in organizations is the unwillingness to let go of yesterday's successes, and to free up resources that no longer contribute to results." P.Duckler

"The achievement of excellence can only occur if the organization promotes a culture of creative dissatisfaction." Lawrence Miller

"Human societies vary in lots of independent factors affecting their openness to innovation." Jared Diamond

"Innovation is this amazing intersection between someone's imagination and the reality in which they live. The problem is, many companies don't have great imagination, but their view of reality tells them that it's impossible to do what they imagine." Ron Johnson

"Mindless habitual behavior is the enemy of innovation." Rosabeth Moss Kanter

"Ideas, like young wine, should be put in storage and taken up again only after they have been allowed to ferment and to ripen." Richard Strauss

"It is the responsibility of leadership to provide opportunity, and the responsibility of individuals to contribute." William Pollard

“Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity - not a threat”

"The only thing that makes people and organizations great is their willingness to be not great along the way. The desire to fail on the way to reaching a bigger goal is the untold secret of success" Seth Godin

“Orville Wright did not have a pilot’s license.” Gordon MacKenzie

Innovation Quotes: Where does innovation come from?

"The problem is never to get innovative ideas in your mind , but how to get the old ones out."

"The things we fear most in organizations: fluctuations, disturbances, imbalances are the primary sources of creativity." Margaret J. Wheatley

"This is the nature of genius, to be able to grasp the knowable even when noone else recognizes that it is present." Deepak Chopra

"The innovation point is the pivotal moment when talented and motivated people seek the opportunity to act on their ideas and dreams." W. Arthur Porter

"We can believe that we know where the world should go. But unless we're in touch with our customers, our model of the world can diverge from reality. There's no substitute for innovation, of course, but innovation is no substitute for being in touch, either." Steve Ballmer

"I consider high-speed data transmission an invention that became a major innovation. It changed the way we all communicate." Dean Kamen

"Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable." William Pollard

"My innovation involved taking an idea from the telecommunications and banking industries, and applying that idea to transportation business." Frederick W. Smith

"The Chinese word weiji translated as 'crisis' is often said to be composed of the characters for 'danger' and 'opportunity'."

“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” Charles R. Swindoll

Innovation Quotes: Why should we innovate?

"Change before you have to." Jack Welch

"The winner is the chef who takes the same ingredients as everyone else and produces the best results." Edward de Bono

"You can only win the ‘war’ with ideas, not with spending cuts." Klaus Kleinfeld, President and CEO, Siemens AG

"Innovation is the central issue in economic prosperity." Michael Porter

"Innovation comes from the producer - not from the customer." W. Edwards Deming

"We are a party of innovation. We do not reject our traditions, but we are willing to adapt to changing circumstances, when change we must. We are willing to suffer the discomfort of change in order to achieve a better future." Barbara Jordans

"We need a positive economic agenda that invests in the innovation and growth that will create jobs for middle class families and ensure that America remains the world leader." Rick Larsen

"Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow." William Pollard

"If all you're trying to do is essentially the same thing as your rivals, then it's unlikely that you'll be very successful." Michael Porter

"innovation is the technological pre-condition for growth." Eric Schmidt (Google CEO)

Innovation Quotes: What is Innovation?

"Genius is one percent inspiration, and ninety-nine percent perspiration." Thomas Edison

"Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things." Theodore Levitt

"Innovation is the process of turning ideas into manufacturable and marketable form." Watts Humprey

"To turn really interesting ideas and fledgling technologies into a company that can continue to innovate for years, it requires a lot of disciplines." Steve Jobs

"Innovation is not the product of logical thought, although the result is tied to logical structure." Albert Einstein

"Business has only two functions - marketing and innovation." Milan Kundera

"Innovation is the whim of an elite before it becomes a need of the public." Ludwig von Mises

“Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity - not a threat”

“If you're not failing every now and again, it's a sign you're not doing anything very innovative.” Woody Allen

"True innovation is based on the recognition that a business concept represents a dozen or so design variables, all of which need to be constantly revisited and constantly challenged" Gary Hamel

"Think of invention as the laying of an egg, innovation as the laying, incubating and hatching." Gordon Graham

"Innovation is the process or result of combining previously separate ideas or technologies in useful and valuable ways" Karl Long

Logitech Illuminated Keyboard

I am proud that my team delivered firmware for the new Logitech illuminated keyboard.

I especially appreciate working with this keyboard because it is illuminated. This is useful when you surf on the web or watch a video in the evening and you do not want to be disturbed by anything else than the computer screen.
Something positive is also the fact that you choose the illumination level, as opposed to some automatic ambiant light system which choose the level for you.

This development was a challenge for our swiss team, as we are more specialized in developing wireless keyboards. We had to use a new chip that we had little experience with. The biggest obstacles we encountered was not because of the chip itself, but because of the compiler badly translating the C language to assembly code: "what you write, is not what you get". And this triggered some bugs that we had great difficulties to track and correct.

Innovation video and presentations

Video:

Every successful innovation will be taken for granted.

The innovation Radar:

The Innovation Radar - Upload a Document to Scribd

Innovation Strategy

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: business strategy)