Get Creative
July 22nd, 2005 by Hal
Business Week is stepping out! This week's issue is focused on the role of innovation to the viability of the firm. I'm a 33 year subscriber. There's never been a cover like this one. And it's not all sizzle. There's plenty of steak in the articles. If you're not a subscriber, this issue will change your mind.
The cover story describes five steps (stages) of the innovative firm.
- Technology and information become commoditized and globalized.
- With commoditization, core advantages can be shipped abroad.
- Design strategy begins to replace Six Sigma as a key organizing principle.
- Creative innovation becomes the key driver of growth.
- The successful Creative Corporation emerges, with new innovation DNA.
While their interpretation is interesting, the stories and examples are illuminating.
I get my prescriptions from CVS, but the Target Prescription Bottle has me rethinking my choice. The usual prescription bottle is difficult to read. Frankly, I don't read it as carefully as I should. 'Take with a meal', 'Avoid taking with alcohol', and 'Stop taking if a rash develops'. Who can read this stuff? (Ok, if I wasn't middle-aged and nearly blind I might be able to read it.) The Target prescription bottle is exactly the kind of innovation and day-to-day creativity that separates great companies from merely good ones.
BW is one of the finest publications available. The writing is wonderful. Don't miss this issue.
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July 24th, 2005 at 11:53 am
Here is a resource some of you may find helpful. Bart Huthwaite has been a good friend and colleague of mine for years, and has a unique ability to package and communicate good ideas into easily accessible check-lists and rules. Bart got his start implementing DFM/DFA in his own manufacturing operation in the ’70s and quickly added useful competitive design tools to his team training workshops. Here is some contact information - including an upcomin seminar at Mackinac Island - always a hoot and always useful.
www.LeanInnovation.org/MackinacConference.pdf
Bart Huthwaite, Founder
Institute for Lean Innovation
906-847-6094
www.LeanInnovation.org