Archive for the ‘blog’

  • Getting The Timing Right For An Innovation – Like a slate!
    I’m a firm believer that the difference between a good idea and a great idea is getting the timing right.  There are a number of items to consider when deciding when is the right time to bring an innovation to market including: Is there a technology coming that will transform the experience/market? Are customers ready to accept and adopt this innovation? Is...
    by philmckinney at March 8th, 2010 at 09:03 am
  • The “Creating Killer Innovations” CD Is Finally Here!
    The long awaited Creating Killer Innovations CD is finally here!  The CD has been two years in the making and I’m sure that many of you had given up that it would ever become a reality.  To “thank you” for you patience, I’ve arranged for a $5.00 discount on the CD for listeners of the podcast.  See how to take advantage of it below. Creating...
    by philmckinney at February 22nd, 2010 at 08:02 am
  • One more thing on my plate – writing a regular column for Forbes
    A few months ago, I was approached by Forbes.com about writing a regular column where I would share my views and opinions on technology.  Given everything on my plate, I hesitated but finally made the plunge.  Now I have one more person running my life, an editor! (Thanks Brett)   To be clear, this is separate from my “day job” so the opinions and comments...
    by philmckinney at February 12th, 2010 at 01:02 pm
  • Are you ready to compete in the creative economy?
    Just do a quick comparison of the market value to the book value for public U.S. companies over the last two decades and you will see the dramatic upward rise in value attributed to intangibles – ideas, innovations. In this new world, wealth creation is dependent upon the capacity of a nation to continually create ideas.  In short, a nation without a vibrant creative...
    by philmckinney at February 8th, 2010 at 08:02 am
  • Can you measure the impact from innovation?
    One of the constant challenges for an innovator is to prove the value of their work.  Many believe that innovation and creativity cannot be measured and therefore will always struggle with getting the respect it deserves within an organization. The perception that innovation impact cannot be measures is a myth.  At the same time, its not a slam dunk either.  The challenge...
    by philmckinney at February 1st, 2010 at 12:02 pm
  • Getting And Keeping Your Creative Mojo
    Have you ever had the time when everything was clicking?  When you came up with the idea that later you wondered where it came from?  We all have … and then we search for ways to re-create that moment. In sports, athletes come up with all kinds of superstitions to “help” them win games such as not changing their lucky socks or always wearing the same...
    by philmckinney at January 25th, 2010 at 08:01 am
  • Yes – You Are Creative!
    What is shocking to me is how many people don’t think of themselves as being creative.  Whenever I give a speech, I ask the audience if they consider themselves as creative.  On average, about 1/3 raise their hands which means 2/3 of the audience self classify themselves as non-creative. I’m a believer that everyone is creative and that you are creative...
    by philmckinney at January 18th, 2010 at 07:01 am
  • What is the role of government to encourage small business innovation?
    Since the beginning of time, it’s been entrepreneurs that drive the creation of innovation.  True breakthroughs have been the result of an individual or small team who had an idea and the determination to see it through to fruition.  In many cases, ignoring the advice of friends and the lack of what many would call standard market research/validation.   While...
    by philmckinney at January 4th, 2010 at 08:01 am
  • US vs China Parents – What skills do children need to be innovative?
    During a recent meeting I attended with educators and government officials, I shared my frustration with the “output” of the current educational system.   In my opinion, the system is optimized to produce graduates with deep technical skills and the ability to take tests.  One competency that I see missing is the ability to apply creative problem solving...
    by philmckinney at December 14th, 2009 at 08:12 am
  • Stupid Wins In The Game Of Innovation
    We are a race of innovators – born to use our imagination to create not only solutions to our most pressing problems (polio vaccine) but to also create the fun in our lives (pet rocks).   We only have to look as far as our kids to rediscover that fundamental draw to use our imagination to create something out of nothing.  Children are naturally superb innovators....
    by philmckinney at December 7th, 2009 at 09:12 am