kSensei Blog

Innovate on Purpose: The politics of innovation

You may be wondering what “politics” and innovation have in common. I was thinking that innovation in many firms is a proof of the “tragedy of the commons” concept in economics - but no one wants to read a blog post about economics, and much of the challenge of innovation is about beauracracy and culture, not economics.

Wikipedia quotes Aristotle as saying that “That which is common to the greatest number has the least care bestowed upon it”. Likewise, innovation, while “important” to many different groups and functions within an organization, seems to suffer from a lack of attention and focus.

There are two worlds: the world we measure with line and rule, and the world we feel with our hearts and imaginations.

James Henry Leigh Hunt
(1784-1859) Poet & Essayist

FO The Gurteen Daily Knowledge Quotes

When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge.

Albert Einstein
(1879 - 1955) Physicist & Nobel Laureate

FO The Gurteen Daily Knowledge Quotes

Haiku Productivity: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential | zen habits

A new way to make me focus on fewer, but more important things. As a way to allow myself to do more in less time.

A Problem Shared Is a Problem Solved

Not so long ago, companies created departments to create innovation. But the result was often that innovation was turned into a state secret. The only people who knew what was going on — and therefore the only people who could really contribute — were the Chosen Ones inside the innovation department. Not surprisingly, this approach limits both the quantity and quality of ideas so companies have started to search for new ways of developing new ideas.

FO Fast Company

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.

Anais Nin

FO Gurteen Daily Knowledge Quotes

Five Essential Online Trends for Small Businesses » Small Business Trends

Small businesses can capitalize on online marketing and sales trends much like sail ships that are well positioned taking advantage of changes in tides and wind. Here are some current online trends that can be used to your advantage.

Man’s biggest mistake is to believe that he’s working for someone else.

Nashua Cavalier

FO The Gurteen Daily Knowledge Quotes

DO COOL SHIT.
EVERY DAMN DAY.
OR DIE TRYING.

Tom Peters
Consultant & Author
The Project 50

FO The Gurteen Daily Knowledge Quotes

Jumpstarting Innovation: Using Disruption to Your Advantage — HBS Working Knowledge

Fostering innovation in a mature company can often seem like a swim upstream—the needs of the existing business often overwhelm attempts to create something new. Harvard Business School professor Lynda M. Applegate shows how one of the forces that threatens established companies can also be a source of salvation: disruptive change. Plus: Innovation worksheets. Key concepts include:

* Jumpstarting innovation is a critical business imperative. Executives realize that radical change is needed but do not feel equipped to make such change.
* Disruptions in the business environment allow new entrants or forward-thinking established players to introduce innovations that transform the way companies do business and consumers behave.
* Disruptive changes that might serve as the source of innovation include technology shifts, new business models, industry dynamics, global opportunities, and regulatory changes.