The Craft of InnovationSM
Forging creative ideas into business reality
My work brings together the worlds of design, business, and technology. I advise smart, creative leaders who want to bring innovative ideas to life — faster, more efficiently, and with greater impact and results.
Discover ways you can launch or enhance your innovation project.
The Innovation Spiral
Circles hold immense power over our imagination. The earth, the moon. The Circle of Life. Circling ’round the campfire for stories. We cannot escape the pull of this imagery. Circles also populate the common frameworks of innovation. We see it in the Lean Startup methodology of Build-Measure-Learn. Design Thinking is […]
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The Snow Tap and Tacit Knowledge
With Chicago facing its snowiest winter in decades, the other day I chose to opt for a ride-sharing service. We stopped to pick up another rider who joined me in the back seat, dragging a huge mound of snow with him. “Wow,” he said. “I’ve never been in this much […]
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Innovation’s Secret: A Peek Inside a Critique
Innovation professionals are often curious about the world of the artist or designer. Where do creative ideas come from? How do they assess their work in progress? Today let’s peek inside one of the most powerful processes of creativity and innovation: the critique. Critiques play a central role in the […]
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4 Innovation Megatrends for 2019
Innovation will happen across many industries and disciplines in 2019. Whether you’re championing a new company initiative or navigating your career, here are 4 innovation megatrends that will impact leaders across all industries. Use them to frame your innovation strategy for the coming year. 1. Global Economic VolatilityEconomic factors will play […]
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Innovation Starts with Your Blank Canvas in 2019
As you embark on new innovation projects this year, set yourself up as a professional creative does. First, prepare the canvas. Get your ideas in order. Select the appropriate size and format that will express your ideas for an optimal result. Innovation starts here. Then choose the best tools at […]
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Zombie Innovation Projects
If you’re running an active innovation program, chances are high that you have some zombie projects haunting you. These projects rarely contribute any positive outcomes and have long seemed lifeless, yet they remain “undead.” I’ve seen quite a few zombie projects while advising innovation efforts at both large corporations and […]
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