http://www.innovationcoach.com Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:24:15 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Once upon a time, to start your Toyota Camry, you placed a key in the ignition and turned until the electrical connection was made and engine started. To accelerate, you pressed the gas pedal, which pulled a cable attached to a mechanical throttle. Assuming the shift had been manually placed into ... http://www.innovationcoach.com/toyota-recall-highlights-innovation-gone-too-far/ 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 ... http://www.innovationcoach.com/innovation-trend-spotting-shepherding-a-team-of-opportunists/ 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 ... http://www.innovationcoach.com/the-worlds-most-innovative-companies-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 ... http://www.innovationcoach.com/building-an-innovation-culture/ 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 ... http://www.innovationcoach.com/why-results-require-rewards-encouraging-action-with-incentive/ Successful innovation comes when a holistic or “Total Innovation” approach is applied. Often individual imperatives are missing or in place but lack or miss others. What are your barriers to Innovation, what is missing, lacking or weakest area? Click to participate: http://innovationcoach.brightidea.com/ideas http://www.innovationcoach.com/invitation-to-participate/ Innovation may be vital to creating competitive advantage. But how costly is ineffective innovation? That is, if a company sets out on a new product or service development initiative – and that effort fails along the way for whatever reason – what has been lost? Investments in time, effort, capital – ... http://www.innovationcoach.com/observe-measure-when-validating-innovation/ Why innovate? Some would argue that companies innovate to achieve a heightened competitive advantage, streamline the organization, or create intellectual property – including patents, trademarks and other protected property – that create value in the portfolio. Many reason and rationales can be argued for the pursuit of innovation. Yet no purpose for ... http://www.innovationcoach.com/value-creation-the-ultimate-goal-of-innovation/ “Excuse me, is this yours?” If someone asked members of your Innovation Team about “ownership” of a current initiative, would individuals reply, “Yes”? Or would the people involved point to the team leader, the CEO or someone else – someone other than themselves? Would they reply, “No, that’s ... http://www.innovationcoach.com/is-this-yours-in-the-innovation-process-the-answer-defines-ownership/ Much of Apple's success relies on the inspiration CEO Steve Jobs has fostered in employees. Here are seven steps to turn inspiration into innovation By Robert Brands See: www.businessweek.com/innovation When Apple (AAPL) unveils its iSlate in late January, the tablet computer will be just the latest wowing of the world by ... http://www.innovationcoach.com/business-week-column-innovation-made-incarnate/