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The Innovation Backlash

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designamigo Sep 3, 2008 12:34 PM GMT nice article..I feel i would never use the word innovation again.
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Chagrin Rick Jun 12, 2007 10:56 AM GMT I think its a problem that the business press tends to speak of innovation only in terms of new products and new design. That sort of innovation only a few people can get involved with. Is coming up with a new, faster way of changing tooling innovative? Is coming up with a new way of transmitting product information to the shop floor so that fewer delays are experienced innovative? Sure, and this is the innovation that everyone can get involved with. A discussion of innovation that goes beyond iPhones would be helpful.
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Paperboy Feb 19, 2007 8:29 PM GMT Innovation... sustainability... sustainable innovation. Ideating strategic innovation for sustainable growth. Bottom line. Business's need to make money! That is not innovative. ROI strategies should be applied to innovation, sustainability, and design. Does the rush to "innovate" invoke any memories of the dotcom era?
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Stephen Shapiro Feb 17, 2007 12:28 AM GMT I work with dozens of clients. The issue is, no one has a definition of what it means to them. One company struggled with innovation until we developed the mantra "2x10" - $2 billion revenues by 2010. Any efforts that do not deliver on that are not considered innovation. Innovation is not about new products, processes, designs, or services. It's the ability of the organization to adapt and evolve as the market evolves. When the pace of change outside of your organization is faster than the pace within, you'll be out of business. This "free-market" belief is what drives consistent and sustainable business growth.
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CAlter Feb 16, 2007 8:24 PM GMT As usual, "Innovation" has been transformed into the "flavor of the month." No wonder people are cynical--it's Innovation Everything now. At the core though the message is strong: "What do we need to do to develop new products, penetrate new markets, and find new customers continually?" Answering these questions innovatively is what it's really all about in my opinion.
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ed bernacki Feb 16, 2007 8:09 PM GMT It is ironic that BusinessWeek wrote this article on the abuse of the term "innovation." I agree that term is misused and misunderstood. Last year BusinessWeek reported on the most innovative companies in the world based on....what? The opinion of a group of CEOs. This is akin to something like "Innovation idol." This makes a good headline but adds little insight to answer the real question: What makes innovative companies innovative?
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August Feb 15, 2007 10:59 PM GMT Perhaps we go on about "innovation" and have to "innovate" the same products constantly because we have lost what early pioneering companies did. And that is to create. To create viable products. To find a truly "new" customer base and to set up the field and structure so you could do business there. Right now we are selling the same product to the same customers over and over. Its not innovation - its repackaging. And a byproduct of this apparent business laziness is our waste. This is business and consumerism without conscience as these goods get dumped into our landfills.
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Mary Adams Feb 15, 2007 7:40 PM GMT Our research shows that there is a significant gap in the way companies are approaching innovation. Most try to manage the process of innovation but fail to succeed because of underlying intellectual capital limitations such as cultural, skills and organizational deficiencies. To build an innovative organization, you need to build from the ground up--starting with the right resources and with the right measurement system in place. Whether or not the word gets overused, the challenge for American companies cannot be overstated.
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taylor Feb 15, 2007 7:06 PM GMT Uh oh. Business Week better think up a new header for its "Innovation" section. Quick, get the interns working on a new buzz-word!
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Salvador Feb 15, 2007 6:09 PM GMT I work for a government agency in Europe. Our goal is to back and spark innovation. Our tool is to give money away. Enough money so we can meet our target and increase the R&D ratios. Is this a goal? How do you truly measure innovation?
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