Get Creative

by Hal on July 22, 2005

in PM practice

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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.

  1. Technology and information become commoditized and globalized.
  2. With commoditization, core advantages can be shipped abroad.
  3. Design strategy begins to replace Six Sigma as a key organizing principle.
  4. Creative innovation becomes the key driver of growth.
  5. 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.

{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

1 Victor Ortiz July 24, 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.

http://www.LeanInnovation.org/MackinacConference.pdf

Bart Huthwaite, Founder

Institute for Lean Innovation

906-847-6094

http://www.LeanInnovation.org

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