Innovation Best Practices

This builds on the previous podcast in a positive and powerful way. How you think impacts everything that you do. When it comes to innovation knowing and having the right mindset can make a major difference in your ability to achieve innovation success.

Biases – we all have them. While we all have them were not always very aware of what they are. They powerfully and subtly influence our decisions. Sometimes these influences can be positive, but often, the influences can be negative. Learn about some of the biases that can most negatively impact innovation. This podcast begins an extended series that is primarily focused on helping individuals become more innovative.

Some people at Google Ventures believe that they have a five day process that delivers developed and tested innovative ideas. I provide an overview of the process and some serious caution signs before you jump in. To the outside world this may appear to be an "innovation best practice," but I would not put it into that select group of innovation practices.

This question is not frequently asked in the innovation process, but it should be. If you have products that are in a mature category and major innovation opportunities are clearly limited, this is really a "must ask" question. Often the answers open up some of the biggest innovation doors in the history of the company. I share specific examples where this has happened.

It is amazing how even smart companies have figured out so many ways the kill innovative ideas. Learn how they kill and how you can keep the right innovative ideas alive.

When it comes to the big picture of healthcare, politicians – never known to be great innovators – are the ones trying to solve healthcare needs. This provides a big picture of healthcare and one person's view of the key area needing innovative solutions.

You may be surprised to learn that science and innovation share a lot in common. As a result, science can teach us some key points that can help us be more successful with innovation.

These are all real and powerful trends that are already making a big difference in consumer behavior that you should know about if you are an innovator. You may know some of them, but there are ten of them you should pay attention to.

Sometimes we get lost in the myth that innovation with new brands and categories is the best way to meet our innovation needs. Often it is, but you may be surprised how your existing brands can be a source of innovation that solves your needs and builds your business.

Open and crowd innovation were new and prominent about a decade ago. They have come a long way. Learn how you can smartly use this form of innovation to make you more successful.