September 2004
Newsletter
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Volume 1, Issue 4
| Contents Two New Innovation Surveys Innovation Profiles Fundamentals of Innovation Recent Blogs The Innovation Road Map Magazine New Product Development Simulation Game New Lovitt Listening Inventory Instrument |
 Puzles and Paradigms "The puzzle was still there the next day. A few more pieces had been put into place. The completed puzzle still glared at any potential problem-solver, the example that proved that puzzles could be solved, that the reward for completion is a beautiful painting. I placed a few more pieces in place. How like human progress! Our role as we pass by is to put in place the few pieces of the puzzle we can and leave. Progress depends upon many people placing pieces in place until the puzzle is solved or anomalies uncovered and a flash of insight brings a step change in progress. " Exerpt form Puzzles and Paradigms blog entry If you like this, you'll probably like the other entries as well. Read the Blog |
| Results
fromTwo New Innovation Surveys This newsletter describes the results of two innovation surveys recently conducted. Innovation Profiles We have been working with clients with an Innovation Profile concept and assessment instrument for a number of years. It was one of the key elements of our book, Innovate!, McGraw-Hill, 1994. (The book is now woefully out of date.) The basic idea behind in the innovation profile concept is that innovation can be classified into two types. We called one type - Class. The class of innovation denoted how large a change from the past the innovation represented (incremental, distinctive or breakthrough). The other type we called Nature. The nature of innovation denoted the type of activity within an organization the innovation represented (product, process and procedure). The combination of these two types of innovation creates a nine-element matrix. Our contention is that it is the pattern of these nine types of innovation that determine how successful an innovation effort will be. If that pattern creates competitive differentiation and creates value for customers, the innovation effort has a high probability of being successful. We also contend that rarely today's environment is a single type of innovation successful. Several types must be combined together to create real value and market acceptance. Our assessment instrument is based on values or priorities within an organization. We link these values to the innovation profile likely to result from an organization with that specific set of values. We have been successful in using these models and tools inside organizations either in workshops or in consulting. The purpose of this survey was to test the models more broadly and see if they are applicable across a broad range of organization without a working knowledge of the culture within the organizations. The preliminary results of this survey indicate that our assertions were correct. The innovation profile assessment instrument detected differences between industries and between organizations in the same industry. It also detected differences between functional areas, such as general management, IT, training and product development, and uncovered a potential significant difference between product developers and general management. General managers knew what type of innovation they wanted whereas product developers were unfocused. It also noted differences in attitude relative to innovation depending upon the size of the organization, the amount of revenue, length of expereince, length of service with the present organization or position within the hierarchy. The preliminary results of the survey will be available in the next edition of the Innovation Road Map Magazine. If you subscribe now, you will get the report when issued ($29.95/year). Also, if you complete the survey, you can obtain a copy of the survey results plus any additional findings. You can also purchase a one-time use of the survey by going to purchase survey. In addition to getting a copy of the preliminary report, you will get an analysis of the innovation profile for your organization as well as scenario describing how your organization likely develops innovation ($195.00). Take the Survey Fundamentals of Innovation Of the products and services offered through the innovation Road Map, assessment instruments were the most highly rated. Innovation and its genesis creativity have been difficult to assess in an organization. One assessment tool that we offer online now is the Innovation Profile tool (see accompanying article). We plan others in the future and continue to welcome ideas about what you need to measure relative to innovation. One issue that came out in the survey and has existed for as long as I've been involved in innovation is, "How do we assess the merit of an idea before it is implemented?" Close behind assessment instruments were magazines, books and newsletters. These remain the most cost-effective way of obtaining information. The overriding concern was for practical solutions, not theories, as well as examples. Workshops were also rated highly but no actionable specifics were mentioned. Consulting and promotional products did not get much positive response. Eighty-five percent of the respondents thought that a set of expert derived recommendations for innovation would be useful. A few less, 82%, thought that a standard process would be useful. However, there were serious reservations as to whether a standard process could exit (a reservation I share). And, lastly 92% of the respondents thought that a lexicon of terms would be useful. Such a lexicon is being developed and, if the development effort is successful, could prove useful. The respondents raised many important and provocative questions that they would like answered. I view these as a guide to what I write about in this newsletter, my blog and the magazine. To obtain a copy of the survey results click on Fundamentals of Innovation Survey Report (PDF, 9 pages, 125KB). If you haven't participated and would like to contribute, the survey is still open at www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=82909578651 Take the Survey Recent Blogs September Time Horizons Puzzles and Paradigms Arches August Creativity and the Future The Innovation Road Map Magazine The next edition of the innovation Road Map Magazine will be published in September. Some of the articles to appear include: The Future of Education in America (Part 1 of 4) Innovate America Innovation as a Form of Cheating? How to Make Relationships Work Hope is Not for Sissies Creative Productivity Open Innovation (book review) Smart Mobs (book review) Leading the Revolution (book review) The Globalization of Nothing (book review) The Human Fabric (book review) Plus many more and our regular features. Subscribe now ($29.95 per year). New Product Development Simulation Game This CD ROM based game allows users to highlight the risks involved in product innovation and determine where the decision points are in the new product development process. Find out more! New Lovitt Listening Inventory Instrument Find out how skilled you are at listening with the Lovitt Listening Inventory and his book Who's Listening Anyhow?, (Order now - Inventory $9.95, Book $34.95, Combination $44.95) Find Our More! |
| Paul
Schumann Editor & Publisher The Innovation Road Map Newsletter 4512 Autumn Leaf Hollow, Austin, TX 78731 PO Box 26947, Austin, TX 78755 512.302.1935 Visit The Innovation Road Map Web Site |