Innovation

Take these 6 steps to think big

January 13, 2016
If you want to solve a big problem, harness technology to advance toward your goal. But beware of getting too emotionally wedded to a narrow objective or overinvesting in high-end tools.

Creativity stifled? Tap outsider input

December 28, 2015
What happened when one executive dared to crowdsource the solution to a business problem? Resentment among the staff—and an actual solution.

4 ways to let creative juices flow

November 25, 2015
To boost the innovative output from your employees, create an environment that’s conducive to creativity. Here’s how.

6 traits that set innovators apart

September 9, 2015
Why do some large organizations still in­­novate like startups, while others get mired in bureaucracy? A multiyear ­McKinsey study shows that leaders at pioneering companies exhibit these traits.

3 ways to inspire creativity

August 5, 2015
John Maeda, president of the Rhode Island School of Design until 2013 and now a partner with Kleiner Perkins, offers tips on keeping your edge.

That ‘one thing’ leaders do

August 3, 2015

It’s tempting to frame lots of things as the silver bullet. But with enough thought and study, you can identify a concept called “controlling insight” as that one thing.

New report takes a snapshot of the innovation race

April 29, 2015
Top companies are stripping away the barriers to harness the best ideas from customers, partners, R&D teams, external technologies and literally every member of staff. A new report explains where it’s all headed.

Buck tradition to unearth fresh ideas

April 2, 2015
After 30 years in the advertising business, Rick Segal understands how to maximize employees’ creativity: Give up-and-coming stars a chance to shine.

Workplace utopia fosters SAS innovation

February 18, 2015
During the 2008-09 recession, Jim Goodnight of SAS didn’t just promise job security to his workforce. He also challenged them to use the slowdown to innovate. Housed on 300 acres in Cary, N.C., the tech giant’s campus offers its 14,000 em­ployees a chance to concentrate on ­creativity with a minimum of distractions.

Flying high starts with high risk

January 5, 2015
As Richard Branson found, frustrating experiences can provide the basis for innovation. Once you identify a problem, muster the courage to implement a bold solution.