Anticipate the book

The Master of Innovation Speaks: Apple on Apple

January 24, 2012 in Critical Success Factors, Customer Behavior, Ideas, Product/Market Fit

The June 9, 2007 issue of the Economist ran an article titled “How does Apple do it?” After many had left it for dead a decade ago, this is the company that sets the pace in the consumer electronics industry. The article highlighted two main development strategies: First, Apple looks both within and outside its walls for new product ideas, an approach referred to as “network innovation.” The iPod, a notable example, was the brainchild of a consultant that Apple hired to run a project; not an employee. Second, Apple is obsessed about looking at new concepts through the eyes of its customers. Everybody gives testament to the importance of this commitment, but few live it. “If we build it they will come” is a sure path to failure.

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Innovation Has Moved Social

October 5, 2011 in Culture, Ideas, Innovation, Product/Market Fit

Carl Shirky explains the migration of human conversations from the printing press, to telephones, to RF broadcast, to the Internet. The result is all the previous media forms move to the Internet and become ubiquitous and cheap. The media has become so cheap and accessible, everyone becomes producers of media content — and always connected to everyone. In the world of innovation, this access to anyone or anything, anytime, anywhere, using any device enables innovation to occur everywhere, all the time. Product development can tap into this stream of innovation by establishing the infrastructure to listen to the conversation and “detect” value.

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Brainstorming Rules

April 20, 2011 in Creativity, Ideas, Processes

Brainstorming sessions are famously unproductive. How do you ensure success? There are four simple rules:

The first, and most important, is to remember that brainstorming sessions are structured events. They take effort to plan and execute properly. Define what you want to accomplish ahead of time, and communicate the goals in advance. It is very important that participants have time to mentally prepare—creativity benefits from incubation time.
Next, set specific session rules. These have to do with resolving conflicts and managing criticism, as well as making sure everyone participates.
Next, recruit for diversity. Without a range of experience, you get similar ideas and conclusions.
And last, assign a leader. This should be a person that the participants feel comfortable with and who is willing to adhere to the discipline.