New and Improved Innovation Blog Site

Here's another radical and innovative new idea. In theory I like it. But in practice, what would it take for this to take off?

And before you rule it out, know that Google just bet $1 million that it will take off. Hopefully not off the rails though.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/innovation/10/12/shweeb.urban.transport/index.html

Fortune 1000 Execs hungry for innovation, blocked by barriers

Anyone else getting tired of these surveys of CEOs and senior executives say, "Innoation is critical!" and "We don't know how!" and "There are substantial barriers!"

If not, here's another one from Harris Interactive, conducted with Fortune 1000 executives.

Key findings include:

- Almost all execs say that enterprise innovation is criticalf or driving growth, profitability, getting/keeping talent, and brand prestige.

- Most execs say that enterprise innovation is key, but a majority say they only focus on product innovation.

- Almost half say their company has no innovation team/process/system for vetting new ideas

- Only a minority say their company provides innovation team training, process training, or ideation sessions

- CEOs must provide greater leadership, tools, and resource support

- Execs say they must focus more on enterprise innovation

- Barriers to enterprise innovation include: short-term goal-orientation, other priorities, lack of incentives, lack of systems, lack of resources, lack of cultural value for innovation.

What's your take on enterprise innovation and what gets in the way?

Read the complete survey results at: http://bit.ly/dtXRxn

Provocative thought for the day: Why are children in schools grouped by age first? Why not ability?

We're big fans of Sir Ken Robinson and his efforts to bring more of a focus on creativity to education around the world.  His presentations are always stimulating, and this RSA-animated presentation (love the learning methodology!!) that made me go: "Wow, why didn't I think of that?" when he asked (among other things) why we organize schools around the age of children. Why not group them based on ability? Then perhaps we could avoid multiple tracks per age.

What insights does the presentation create for you?

 

Gnu & Improv Ed co-creator wins Emmy, gets profiled!

We're proud of our colleague Charlie Ragins for his recent Emmy win for illustrations he did for an episode of The Simpsons.  In addition to his work at New & Improved, Charlie works full-time designing and illustrating for The Simpsons. 

Folks have asked for more information about his work and his background, so we'll direct you to a profile of him done by his hometown paper, the Fairbanks (AK) Daily News-Miner.  While The Simpsons is featured most prominently, there is a minor shout-out to our favorite cartoon, Gnu & Improv Ed.

Read the entire article and find out how one grows up to be a successful and award-winning illustrator at: http://bit.ly/a226u9

http://www.newsminer.com/view/full_story/9933702/article-Fairbanks-raised-artist-finds-success-%E2%80%94-and-an-Emmy-%E2%80%94-with--The-Simpsons---?

DOWNLOAD THIS FREE WEBINAR! Your Brain's Creative Operating System

Would you like to improve how you generate, present or evaluate new ideas or solutions?  If so, then download our latest webinar, "Your Brain's Creative Operating System."

Click here to download a free copy of our webinar.

(Because of the size of the file, it may take several minutes to download.)

In this webinar, Jonathan Vehar and Doug Reid, focus on divergent thinking (exploring new options) and convergent thinking (selecting new options), and share some classic and new tools for each type of thinking.

Here are some of the ideas that were discussed:

• How do you balance idea generation and selection?
• How can you generate more ideas?
• How can you more effectively brainstorm?
• What are better ways to evaluate and improve new solutions or strategies?
• How can you build consensus for a new idea?

Click here to download a free copy of our webinar.

 

(Because of the size of the file, it may take several minutes to download.)