Case Studies
Technology and Invention: The Smart Wheel Promises Big Impact for Congested Cities
Previously, I introduced you to the invisible bicycle helmet, a creative safety concept out of Sweden that tucks an inflatable helmet inside a fashionable collar and deploys in a crash. Bicycling enthusiasts have another game-changing invention: the FlyKly Smart Wheel. FlyKly Smart Wheel: The smark
Ingenuity in Africa Is Alive and Well
We’ve finally arrived in Rwanda and settling in. In the first few days, I’ve been getting familiar with the fish farm, the business we’ve invested in so that the profits can fund the Rwanda child rescue home. The image is of the staff catching and moving fish from one pond to the another. My first [
Creative Concept: The Invisible Bicycle Helmet Blends Science and Human Nature
Want a creative concept? How about an invisible bicycle helmet? It may sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but two Swedish graduate students, Terese Alstin and Anna Haupt, have made it happen. The idea started with the students’ shared love of biking and similar aversion to wearing breeze-bl
5 Innovation Failures That Changed the World
On some level, we are all afraid of failure. It’s a natural instinct to want to succeed, to be proud of your work, and to brag about your accomplishments at class reunions rather than being reminded of our failures. Each life must come to a little failure. Your project may tank in the 11th hour. […]
How Does Your Brain Work on Innovation?
Most of us are familiar with the image of a light bulb signifying the idea that emerges from our brain. One moment the light is off, the next it is on and a “eureka” moment has occurred. Likewise, many of us have also experienced “eureka” moments when we least expect them – in the shower, […]
3 Mistakes Kodak Made In Their Innovation Strategy
With this morning’s announcement that Kodak would seek bankruptcy protection, I reflected back on how and why it reached this point. In my opinion, Kodak fell into the same trap that most large, successful and once highly innovative companies get into – how to keep the innovation engine working ove
Don’t get enamored with the new and shiny. It could be a trap.
When it comes to new innovations, we sometimes ignore the underlying ideas that make it work. It is hard but we need to look beyond the new and shiny and understand what makes the innovation an innovation. Since I announced the book, I’ve been swamped with offers from companies and consultants with
Don’t be shy about your success. Tell the innovation story
For many of the innovations we take for granted, we miss out on hearing what went in to making it happen. After my post yesterday on Jet Blue, I got an email from a reader with links to a series of video’s put out by GE on the technology and innovations that went into making their jet […]
Experiment with your business model. What’s the worst that can happen?
When it comes to innovation, experimentation is expected except when it comes to your core business model. This is one of those sacred cows that shouldn’t be touched. The results from a well-designed experiment of business model innovation can be a real eye opener. Take Jet Blue as an example. La
Should one government encourage innovation in another country?
There are all kinds of economic development programs put in place by governments with the objective of accelerating economic growth. Not satisfied with working just in their own country, governments are now establishing innovation competitions in other countries. How far should a government go to e
