Insights on Innovation:

Create a Positive Narrative at Work [Podcast]
By Andy Stefanovich

Andy Stefanovich talks about the key to increasing productivity and improving the overall tone of your workplace - - create a positive narrative. (Change Nation, November 13, 2009)

Give the CMO More Authority [PDF]
By Roland Bernhard

In this interview published in M&K, the leading Swiss marketing communications journal, Roland Bernhard addresses some of the most challenging topics marketers face today. Roland talks about customer experience, innovation and marketing accountability and explains how commanding these topics help marketers gain a competitive advantage, even in difficult times. (Marketing & Kommunikation, October 2009)

Critical Eye breakfast briefing video: Focus on innovation [Webcast]
By Andy Stefanovich

This video captures the key concepts behind the London breakfast themed, "Inspiration as a discipline for innovation." It features Andy Stefanovich; Pam Powell, SABMiller; and Daryl Dunbar, Reed Elsevier. (Critical Eye, September 2009)

Talking Business with Andy Stefanovich [Podcast]
By Andy Stefanovich

Senior Partner Andy Stefanovich speaks with Michael Guld regarding innovation and creativity in business, inspiration, and the “human energy crisis.”

The Inspiration Discipline - Using Inspiration to Drive Business Growth [Webcast]
By Andy Stefanovich

This 60-minute webinar will change how you view the world around you. Sound like a big claim? It is. But we believe that putting a different lens on the way you view everything from a glass of water to a lamppost to subway graffiti can radically change the way you view, and ultimately impact your business.  (May 7, 2009)

The Inspiration Discipline [PDF]
By Andy Stefanovich

A common scenario in corporate headquarters these days features the Chief Innovation Officer having a meeting with her Innovation Council in the recently completed, state-of-the-art Innovation Room, frowning at the results of their efforts to create a “culture of innovation.” Why don’t they have it? Why aren’t they getting the output they need?

Lux Brands Face Tough Balancing Act [PDF]
By Kevin O'Donnell

Luxury brands face no small dilemma these days as they try to deliver growth without compromising cachet—all against the backdrop of a severe global recession that’s sure to challenge their fabled resistance to downturns. (Marketing News, February 2009)

Innovation In a Recession: Necessary and All the More Possible [PDF]
By Prophet

While it is tempting to cut resources, slow down product launches, and refocus only on the core, companies that continue their commitment to innovation are more likely to reap great rewards. (January 2009)

Offsetting the Risks of Innovation [PDF]
By Jorge Aguilar and Kevin O'Donnell

Classic financial theory has it that all else being equal, the greater the risk, the greater the return. And when it comes to innovation, those businesses that are the most successful embrace that notion.

Where Do the Best Ideas Come From? The Unlikeliest Sources [PDF]
By Kevin O'Donnell

There's a "secret sauce," as a friend would put it, to creating a recipe that works for serving up innovation success. But if businesses have trouble getting it quite right, it's because they're short on a critical ingredient: inspiration. (AdAge, July 16, 2008)

Innovation Quest: Catalytic Leaders Set the Pace [PDF]
By Kevin O'Donnell

Innovation appears to be the holy grail of our times.  But the innovation quest is long, laborious and not for the faint of heart.  Success requires strong leadership setting the pace: a catalyst and change agent who has the vision, desire and ability to enlist and inspire others to the cause. (Marketing News, June 1, 2008)

The Advertising Show: Focus on Marketing Effectiveness and Innovation [Podcast]
By Andrew Pierce

Andrew Pierce, Senior Partner, talks about innovation and marketing effectiveness in this segment from The Advertising Show. (The Advertising Show, June 6, 2008)

Dispelling the Myths About Open Innovation [PDF]
By Prophet

The concept of Open Innovation is increasingly familiar and many organizations are eager to position themselves to harness its potential. However, considerable confusion exists around what Open Innovation is and what it isn’t. This article aims to dispell three of the prevailing myths about Open Innovation.

2008 Best Practices Study: The Making of World-Class Innovators [PDF]
By Prophet

Despite its promise as a primary source of organic business growth, capitalizing on innovation’s potential is an elusive goal for many businesses. Our 2008 Best Practices Study, developed in collaboration with Play, reveals how “model” innovators do it — with approaches that point the way toward better innovation success for others.

Innovation: Brand It or Lose It
By David Aaker

In this article, David Aaker argues that brand strategy is crucially important to an innovation. Without it, the strength of an innovation will be short-lived. 
*Please note, there is a fee to obtain the full text of this article. (California Management Review, Fall 2007)

How to Invest in Branding: The Harrah's Story [Webcast]
By Kevin O'Donnell

In this 90-minute web seminar, Kevin O'Donnell from Prophet and Lisa Marchese from Harrah's will discuss how the largest casino operator in the world uses brand to compete and win in a fiercely competitive and ever-changing market. (MarketingProfs, February, 2008)

Countering the Innovation Backlash [PDF]
By Kevin O'Donnell

Kevin O’Donnell believes innovation’s role as a driver of organic growth and a differentiator that adds substantially to a brand’s value remains as critical as ever.  In his inaugural column in the newly relaunched Marketing News, a publication of the American Marketing Association, O’Donnell spells out one solution:  Creation of innovation “systems” that foster actionable creativity. (Marketing News, September 1, 2007)

Think Big [PDF]
By David Aaker

In this article that appeared originally in the Wall Street Journal, Dave Aaker argues that to win market share, don’t try to influence what brand of product people buy. Change how they use the product in the first place. (MIT Sloan Management Review, September 14, 2007)

Peeling Back the Layers on Innovation [PDF]
By David Aaker

Innovation is now a priority in most firms around the world just as quality was two decades ago. The challenge then was how to transform a quality program and results into a quality image. Today the need is to gain image credit for developing an innovative organization and a flow of innovative products. (BrandWeek, May 1, 2006)

A "System" for Innovation [Podcast]
By Kevin O'Donnell

In this podcast, Kevin O'Donnell discusses innovation, the keys to success of notable business innovators, and how to create a system for innovation. (Sky Radio, September 2007)

There's Nothing New in Desperate Marketing [PDF]
By Eloy Trevino and Scott Davis

Two Choices: Burger King and Ford followed different paths in their quests to grow-and stand as case studies of why the best marketing comes from innovation, not desperation. (Advertising Age, April 23, 2007)

Marketers, Heal Thyselves: Rx to Help the CMO Lifespan [PDF]
By Scott Davis

Marketers aiming to better position themselves and the marketing function to add real value to the organization have their work cut out for them. A new year makes the timing right to recap three of the most critical prescriptions for change. (Point, December 2005)

How Marketing Can Support the Innovation Imperative [PDF]
By Mike Leiser

Innovation is a major hot button with businesses these days, given its critical role in driving organic business growth. As one survey of 940 senior managers found, all considered growing revenues through innovation as critical to success. Yet more than half were unhappy with their innovation investment returns. (Admap, November 2005)

Innovation: Moving Marketing's Capabilities, Insights Front and Center [PDF]
By Scott Davis

There is a growing need for businesses, and particularly their marketing leadership, to look differently at what constitutes innovation, and create a culture that fosters and rewards it. (Point, September 2005)