In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, the ability to innovate is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. Top companies understand this and have shifted their perspective on innovation. They see it not as a lucky dip, but as a cultivated skill – an “innovation muscle” that requires consistent effort and a strategic approach. But how do you translate this metaphor into a practical roadmap for your organisation? Here, we delve deeper into the analogy and explore actionable steps to create a winning innovation fitness plan. Why Building Innovation Muscle Matters Imagine a world where your organisa ..read more

In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, the ability to innovate is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. Top companies understand this and have shifted their perspective on innovation. They see it not as a lucky dip, but as a cultivated skill – an “innovation muscle” that requires consistent effort and a strategic approach. But how do you translate this metaphor into a practical roadmap for your organisation? Here, we delve deeper into the analogy and explore actionable steps to create a winning innovation fitness plan. Why Building Innovation Muscle Matters Imagine a world where your organisa ..read more

Top companies see innovation as an ongoing capability, not a one shot event. Such companies work hard to build ‘innovation muscle’ around this capability so they can use it as and when it is needed. Think of taking some form of exercise that actually builds muscle. It could be using weights or some form of bodyweight exercise. It doesn’t matter which. But next time you stand up, bend, stretch or twist you might find it easier or faster. So what does this so called muscle typically consist of? There is a long list but at the top of the list are how widespread are the attitudes, behaviours and ..read more

Here are a few thoughts on the topic which may help you directly or inspire further thinking. Diversity is Key Innovation ecosystems thrive on diversity. A mix of people, ideas, and resources from various backgrounds and industries can spark creative solutions. It’s like a salad bar for innovation, with different ingredients coming together to make something awesome. Collaboration is the Name of the Game In these ecosystems, collaboration is more important than competition. Instead of everyone fighting for a piece of the pie, they work together to make the pie bigger. Think of it as a potluck ..read more

Is AI just a load of hogwash? Is Threads just another pointless distraction? Is Leadership just a load of hocus pocus? Are you suffering from Shiny New Toy Syndrome? Well, brace yourselves folks, ’cause I’m about to ruffle some feathers with my opening statement. But honestly, I couldn’t care less about that. The purpose of this post is to get those gears in your head turning. And hey, before you slap me with the “anti-everything” label, take a gander at what I actually said. I’m just asking questions here, not making proclamations. So what’s the big deal then? Let’s talk AI for a moment. It ..read more

In this fast-paced world, being creative and solving problems is a must-have skill set. But hold on to your hats because we’re about to introduce you to a game-changer: artificial intelligence (AI). Here is a brief introduction to show how you can leverage AI to kickstart Innovation. AI isn’t just for sci-fi movies anymore. It’s here to revolutionise the way we tackle problems creatively. Here I’ll dive into how AI can level up your creative problem-solving game and help you take Innovation to a whole new level. AI is a problem-solving ninja! With cool technologies like machine learning and d ..read more

Hey there! Amidst all the chaos of the past couple of years (including the COVID-19 pandemic), one thing has become clear: the key is innovation in a time of crisis. The pandemic forced us to rethink the way we work, the way we interact with each other, and the way we do business. Companies that were able to adapt quickly and embrace new technologies and business models fared better than those that were slower to pivot. One lesson we can learn from the pandemic is the importance of agility. Companies that were able to pivot quickly to remote work, virtual events, and online sales were able to ..read more

I talk a lot about using people from different disciplines to get things done. Some get it, many don’t and think they know best. I am talking here about Diversity of Experience NOT what some people call neuro diversity or cognitive diversity. I am simply referring to the knowledge and background of contributors, not how they think although this could be part of your recruitment process. Read the following quote and then read on to see what this relates to. “.. we were relying on the likes of a bomb disposal expert, an Indian rowing star, an Italian consultant, a submarine delivery agent, a fo ..read more

A huge thank you to Dr Mobius. For those not familiar with this strip it is technically a 1 dimensional surface (a mathematical construct) not a 2 D object. To make your own simply take a strip of paper, put a half twist into it, and then tape or glue the ends together. Trace around one edge and you will find your finger moves from inside to outside. The same thing happens when you follow a surface. This is why many conveyor belts have a half twist in them, it ensures that wear is even on both sides. There are many cool things about the Mobius strip but here is one that is really cool. Draw a ..read more

How much is a lot? A million dollars may be a lot to some and small change to others. If you are intending to spend on Innovation then it also depends on exactly what you are buying. The word Innovation covers a multitude of activities but at the very basic level, you can create new ideas for products or services for very little cost. As a rule of thumb, I have noticed whilst conducting idea generation workshops that in order to obtain an idea worth considering further we need to generate at least 10 ‘off the wall ideas’. Furthermore, to get a single idea worth investigating or developing we ..read more