Innovation

Partner up to spur breakthroughs

January 30, 2018

Almost all business leaders, even loners, recognize the benefits of collaboration. They realize that the best ideas come from group input, both inside and outside the organization. It took Procter & Gamble a long time to see the light. 

Spark great ideas without fear

December 26, 2017

Innovation sputters when fear runs rampant. Managers may hype the importance of taking risks, only to chastise those who embark on bold but costly experiments.

The future is now

December 5, 2017

Understand that our knowledge of disruptive technology is not really about what’s going to happen in the future. It’s happening now.

Influencing the world in a tiny way

December 1, 2017

Think emojis aren’t very important in the grand scheme of things? Consider Jessica Morrison’s view of them. She’s editor of Chemical and Engineering News and co-author of a plan to introduce nine new science-themed emojis to the existing 1300 Unicode-approved characters we all know better day after day.

12 inspirational bumper stickers about innovative thinking

August 14, 2017

We guarantee that you’ll feel emboldened to think more creatively and ambitiously when you get a look at these bite-sized reflections on innovation.

One man’s bold push for recognition

August 14, 2017
In the late 1800s, the U.S. Department of Agriculture under James Wilson was setting up scientific research stations all over the country. George Washington Carver put in a bid for a black research station.

Leonardo da Vinci would like a word with you

August 9, 2017
By looking at the world in unusual ways, da Vinci made his surroundings fascinating and found the many challenges and wonders within them. Your job is such a wonder-filled place, whether you realize it right now or not.

Adopt ‘of course, but maybe’ mantra

July 19, 2017
Relying on what has worked in the past does not guarantee a better future. Sometimes, you need to buck conventional wisdom and start anew. Try Instacart founder Apoorva Mehta’s approach.

Post-it notes’ success, step by step

July 11, 2017
Many 3M engineers, production staff and salespeople doubted that any market existed for Post-it notes because scrap paper was already free. But Art Fry persisted, proving that all great ideas still must be sold.

Outside-the-box thinking? So passé!

June 9, 2017
Perhaps you’ve heard that innovators think “outside the box.” That’s old news. Given the complex interconnectedness of today’s economy—and technology’s ever-expanding reach—there’s a new way to approach innovative thinking.