Innovation -
from here to there

Structure of the sessions
• Innovation - Definitions and Examples
• Finding and refining an appropriate problem
• Finding or modifying an appropriate solution
• Going from concept to deployment

Definitions and Examples
• What is innovation
• Where is it found
• What does it need
• How do I foster it/spread it
• How do I stifle it
• How is it different from invention

What is innovation
• The act of introducing something new
• A new idea, method or device
• The successful exploitation of new ideas
• Change that creates a new dimension of performance
• The process of making improvements byintroducing something new

Types of Innovation - 1
• Business model innovation
• Marketing innovation
• Organizational innovation
• Process innovation
• Product innovation
• Service innovation

Types of Innovation - 2
• Supply chain innovation
• Substantial innovation
• Financial innovation
• Incremental innovation
• Breakthrough innovation
• Social innovation

Sources of Innovation
• Need
• Dissatisfaction
• Curiosity

Characteristics of Innovation
• Innovation is/requires creativity
• Innovation requires change
• Innovation is destructive of old ways ofdoing things

Characteristics - 2
• Innovation requires speed
• Innovation requires introduction and deployment
• Innovation requires freedom

Characteristics - 3
• Innovation requires risk
• Innovation is resented
• Innovators are hard to manage

Characteristics - 4
• Innovation is hard to measure
• Innovations are normally not inventions

Why Innovation Fails
• Not creating a culture that supports it
• Not getting buy-in and ownership
• Not having a process
• Not getting buy-in from organization
• Not tying projects to strategy
• Not spending enough time planning
• Not building in diversity
• Not developing criteria and metrics
• Inadequate training and coaching
• No idea management system

Finding a good problem
• Whose problem is it
• Who will benefit from the solution
• How will they benefit
• When will they benefit
• Is the benefit worth the cost

Finding a problem
• Problems come from needs, dissatisfactions, and curiosity
• Problems may have been solved elsewhere
• Identifying the problem probably does not require new skills

Problems -2
• Problems must be iteratively refined and generalized
• Problem recognition does not require “public” approval
• Assumptions must be challenged everystep of the way

Finding a good solution
• Where to look
• How to look
• Identifying important features
• Adapting other technologies
• Identifying roadblocks
• Developing prototypes

Solution Characteristics
• The solution(s) probably already exist in a different context
• The solution may require new(to the innovator) knowledge
• Solutions are age and environment dependent

Solutions - 2
• Solutions may come from individuals or groups
• Solutions may not come quickly
• Solutions may violate things you“believe” to be inviolate

Solutions - 3
• Solutions may require joining of several components
• Solutions are often elegant or obvious after the fact
• Solutions may require skills found in other people

Solutions - 4
• Solutions are often blocked by “not invented here syndrome”

Hunting for a solution
• Can the dimensions be changed
• Can the quantity be changed
• Can the order be changed
• Can the time element be changed
• Can the cause/effect be changed

Hunting - 2
• Can the character be changed
• Can the form be changed
• Can the state be changed
• Can the use be adapted to a new market

Getting to the market
• Getting past proof of concept
• Protecting intellectual property
• Getting funding
• Identifying the market
• Going to market
• Knowing when to turn over control

Commercialization - 1
• Do proper documentation and paperwork
• Protect your ideas and solutions
• Evaluate who will want your solutions
• Make prototypes and models

Commercialization - 2
• How will you pay for it
• Competition
• Business organization and skill requirements
• Making a profit

Commercialization - 3
• The inevitable nay sayer

Summary
• Remove fear from organization
• Make innovation a part of performance
• Document innovation process
• Leave room for the unexpected
• Communicate strategy

Summary - 2
• Search for new trends and mindsets
• Stress diversity of thinking
• Develop good broad criteria
• Innovation teams are “different”
• Make sure all ideas are captured.