Our thinking is appearing in publications around the world

Joseph Gelman talks about innovation and how it can change your perception of a product. He provides 4 concepts to foster innovation: Inspiration Safaris, Human Libraries, Thief and Doctor, and the Worst Idea.

Catherine Strotmeyer takes four workshops examples: Frito Lay, GE, Trustmark, and Timberland to explain that workshops can be highly effective for engaging individuals and teams around innovation challenges and bringing new ideas to the business.

There is one crucial question for any marketing executive: How do I develop a new product or service that is innovative, differentiated, and generates growth?  This article explains the LAMSTAIH methodology (Look at more stuff. Think about it harder) - a powerful tool that puts employees in the center of innovation within a company.  *Please note this article is in Spanish.

For years, companies have been equating performance with speed and “lean” thinking. They have invested in streamlining processes, reducing costs and applying stringent “Six Sigma-esque” criteria to kill ideas that don’t deliver ROI. What they do not do is explore the world of possibilities.

Andy Stefanovich outlines Prophet's 5M Model of Innovation and Prophet's LAMSTAIH [lam´sti] philosophy.

The saying, "May you live in interesting times," is considered a curse, but wise leaders will understand it also as a blessing, and use it as a mantra in charting their course through the turbulence. 

Andy Stefanovich answers your questions about innovation, and offers five tips for success.

The shift in the economic climate has created a sense of urgency among business leaders who need innovation now in order to survive—if not thrive—in the future. Leaders have become impatient to get to the “big idea” that grabs the attention of their customers. This article outlines a framework for creating ideas that is appropriate and relevant to the needs of innovation sponsors within a company—no matter what the economic forecast might be.

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. *Please note, this article is in German.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.