Innovation Trend Spotting: Shepherding a Team of Opportunists
February 22, 2010
When an entrepreneur creates a new product or company, the result usually is borne by spotting an emerging trend, conceptualizing an innovation, or seizing an opportunity unmet or consumer behavior emerging in the marketplace. But what happens once the company opens its doors or the product hits the market? Whose responsibility is it to spot the next trend or opportunity? More important, who should be charged with shepherding the behavior of trend-spotting across the organization? Everybody is responsible... Read more »
The World’s Most Innovative Companies 2010
February 18, 2010
Even in these tough times, surprising and extraordinary efforts are under way in businesses across the globe. From politics to technology, energy, and transportation; from marketing to retail, health care, and design, each company on the following pages illustrates the power and potential of innovative ideas and creative execution. Click here to see the list Share and Enjoy: Read More →
Building an Innovation Culture
February 17, 2010
For innovation to flourish, executives must be committed, patient and ready to lead by example. By Josh Cable Like many manufacturers, Eaton, Ohio-based Henny Penny Corp. was founded on innovation. Seeking a better way to cook chicken, restaurant owner Chester Wagner developed a deep-fat pressure fryer and filed for a patent in 1954. Three years later (patent in hand), Wagner formed Henny Penny to market his invention, which the company claims was the world’s first commercial pressure fryer. The ‘I’... Read more »
Why Results Require Rewards: Encouraging Action With Incentive
February 8, 2010
Imagine a company that has taken the time to consider the role of Innovation in the corporate mission. Employees were encouraged to be part of the innovation process but their reward was compensation linked strictly to output. Does that encourage value-added thought process? In my mind, it encourages work, which should need no encouragement at all. Now, what if that same company put a reward system in place whose reward system was based on innovation and results, not hours or labor? It aligned reward to patents... Read more »
