"In the 17th century, Innovators didn't get accolades. They got their ears cut off." - Emma Green
The competitive marketplace of the 21st century has brought with it a new connotation of the word "Innovation. We used to believe the Earth was the center of the solar system. Then it was the sun. The Earth was flat, and then it was round. Well, today it seems like the world is flat once more. In the past, companies only needed to compete with other companies in their respective localities. Now they are competing globally. Borders are becoming increasingly blurred, bringing most companies together onto one playing field.
"How We Got to Now," is Steven Johnson's new book (and soon to be television series) about "six innovations that made the modern world." One of the chapters focuses on time, which is especially interesting to this discussion. As Johnson shares, until the late 1870's every town in America was on its own time, and no one even noticed! Roughly paraphrased; when the railroads came along, people were leaving at one time and arriving at a completely different and uncorrelated time. Someone had to invent standardized time, and what that made possible is even more exciting, as Johnson points out in his spot on the Daily Show.
Today we have industries colliding, merging, and separating; with Innovation being at the center of it all. Innovation is the number one lever to create growth. Without a doubt, sustainable innovation must be encoded into your corporate DNA. Below is the fundamental framework of Robert's Rules of I.N.N.O.V.A.T.I.O.N, designed as a structured and repeatable process to attain consistent results.
•Inspire
•No Risk, No Innovation
•New Product Development Process
•Ownership
•Value Creation
•Accountability
•Training and Coaching
•Idea Management
•Observe and Measure
•Net Result, Net Reward
Since writing "Roberts Rules of Innovation" in 2010 our blog has expanded upon each imperative in great detail adding to the conversation on Innovation. Below you will find some of the best articles written on each imperative.
Innovate and Thrive!
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SETTING THE STAGE FOR INNOVATION: INSPIRATION IS RULE NUMBER ONE.
THE MATRIX THINKER
INCITING DISCOVERY INSPIRING CHANGE - CINONY
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NO RISK - NO INNOVATION & THE GET OUT OF JAIL CARD
RISK IS AN IMPERATIVE FOR SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION
WALKING ON THE EDGE OF INNOVATION
INNOVATION BALANCING ACT
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8 STEP PROCESS PERFECTS NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
(The number 1 innovation article of 2013 according to Innovation Excellence.)
GET YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER TO NURTURE NPD
CREATIVITY DOES NOT EQUAL INNOVATION
O
WHAT DRIVES INNOVATION AND WHO OWNS IT?
OWNERSHIP IS RISK TAKING
V
MANAGE INNOVATION TO DRIVE VALUE CREATION
VALUE CREATION - OPTIMIZE YOUR SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION PROGRAMS
THE HIDDEN VALUE OF AN IP PORTFOLIO
A
ACCOUNTABILITY SUPPORTS SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION
IS YOUR TEAM HELD ACCOUNTABLE?
T
TRAINING AND COACHING FOR GAME CHANGING INNOVATION
LEADING FOR INNOVATION
WISDOM IN TRAINING AND COACHING
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SUCCESSFUL INNOVATION HARNESSES IDEA MANAGMENT
INNOVATE WITH PURPOSE: IDEA PRIORIZATION
THE EUREKA MOMENT OF IDEAS AND IDEA MANAGEMENT
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OBSERVE AND MEASURE - FUELING CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
FORCASTING INNOVATION: OBSERVE AND MEASURE FOR FUTURE SUCCESS
SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION METRICS
INNOVATION FROM A "GEMBA" PERSPECTIVE- TAKE A GEMBA WALK
THE WORLDS MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANIES: RISK, OBSERVATION, AND MEASUREMENT
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THE LANGUAGE OF INNOVATION LEADERS - SELLING INNOVATION THE RIGHT WAY
NET RESULTS PLUS NET REWARDS
NET RESULT, NET REWARD - ENGINEERING SUSTAINABILITY
For a more in depth look at how to implement effective training and coaching within your company, *see "Robert's Rules of Innovation: A 10-Step Program for Corporate Survival."