Innovation

Leadership Tips: Vol. 410

April 12, 2010
Manage your company’s reputation by starting a two-way dialogue with consumers … Follow the recipe of Jordan Zimmerman, founder of Zimmerman Advertising, to increase productivity … Be more innovative by spending at least 15 to 30 minutes per day jotting down questions that “challenge the status quo” in your company or industry, recommends Brigham Young University Professor Jeff Dyer.

Corning’s innovative ‘Gorilla’ process

April 12, 2010

By 2007, some cell phone makers realized they needed stronger, scratch-resistant screens for their gadgets. A team within the specialty materials division of Corning Inc. saw opportunity in an old formula for a superstrong but flexible glass—a material dubbed “Gorilla” …

Social media drives innovation at IBM

March 12, 2010

At IBM, being “authentic” with social media means losing control. Rather than trying to control the brand’s image or message, leadership at IBM has handed the reins to thousands of voices inside the company.

A madness to their Method

February 12, 2010

The two 27-year-olds who’ve built Method into the world’s largest green cleaning brand have had to endure plenty of setbacks in short order. So far, they’ve muddled through. Eric Ryan, the marketing guy, and Adam Lowry, the chemical engineer, ginned up their first cleaning sprays early in 2001 from ingredients such as coconut oil and corn. Almost immediately, they ran into flak:

How to generate game-changing ideas

January 11, 2010

Anyone can learn to innovate. That’s what researchers from Harvard Business School, Insead and Brigham Young University say, after a six-year study. They’ve identified the five secrets to being a great innovator: associating, questioning, observing, experimenting and networking.

Ask ‘who’ and ‘what’ to identify your market

January 11, 2010

Too often, customers never see products and services until they’re in stores. That’s too late. Use “who” and “what” questions to identify who your market is and what it needs.

5 ways to hack a market

November 1, 2006
Cut through the fog of innovation by following these five principles to bring new products and services to market.

Put your biggest idea to the test

July 1, 2005
Your inspiring idea has already won over your head and heart. But will it make it in the marketplace? Tip the balance in your favor by being ready to answer these questions.

5 steps to avert new-product disaster

May 1, 2005
Heres the doom loop for new products: Youre out of touch with consumers. Your new-products people are tucked so far away in the organization that they wind up obsessing over technical problems and never seeing firsthand what customers want. Take these steps to avoid doom.