the hidden cost of the status quo
Innovation is often a high-risk pursuit – but is maintaining the status quo a higher risk strategy than many realize? This essay explores the relative fortunes of two computer companies – one that avoids innovation, another than embraces it.
the gift of complaints
Despite the incredible success of some people who are optimistic and sunny in their outlook, when innovation is requied the need for negative thinking and complaints is overwhelming.
innovation desire lines
Once a solution to a problem has been found, the biggest challenge is to get others to accept it. Is it possible to innovate without selling change? Desire lines might provide a clue.
the innovation trade-off
Innovation doesn’t come for nothing, it always requires that something is given up in return…and people are more willing to give things up than most realize.
does innovation happen in the middle of a forest?
An analogue to George Berkeley’s question “If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it, did it really fall?” – Does innovation happen if no one buys it?
what is innovation, really, and how do we get some?
Innovation is both more difficult and less mysterious than we have been led to believe.
Innovation goes far beyond the laboratory – far beyond Silicon Valley startups, institutes or technology incubators. Innovation is less an activity or product as it is a lifestyle or way of thinking. The best innovators are able to change their frame [...]
how new should new be?
At a time of unprecedented change, economic challenge and technology shifts, everything is new and innovation seems to be the solution to many of our challenges.
But can the new thrive without the old? How much new can people take at once?
Once the first adopters of an innovation have latched on to something, can the rest [...]
experience: friend or foe to innovation?
At the heart of innovation lies a difficult paradox. The greatest obstacle to innovation is experience. At the same time, experience is essential to make innovation happen.
jump the groove for everyday innovation
Innovation is both simpler and more difficult than most realize. It’s difficult, as it involves risk, change and the unknown. It’s simple, as innovation is as natural to people as breathing. It’s what human beings have done since the beginning of time. But quite often we forget how to do it, so we rely on [...]
beware the cover art
Change is really hard.
Whenever one considers changing a system – even if it’s to innovate and improve that system, there are always a number of good reasons to avoid the change altogether and keep things as they are. Is it worth the effort, the risk and the cost to change something that works now? Will [...]