Eureka Moments
Not hearing about any good innovations for your organization? Ask 7 “dumb” questions.
The other day I happened to be in a meeting with a very innovative high tech startup that I will not mention by name for reasons that will soon become clear. Let’s call them Startup X. I know a fair amount about Startup X’s technology and am convinced their company is...
Could your company be missing the most important self-service trend since 1916?
If so, your customers are probably frustrated. In 1916, enterprising businessman Clarence Saunders founded the first self-service grocery store in Memphis, Tennessee. Called Piggly Wiggly (for reasons Saunders would never explain), the grocery store featured open...
From Paraguay, 3 Inspiring Innovation Lessons
From Paraguay, 3 Inspiring Innovation Lessons How artificial hands became a source of pride and 3D technology became a source for social change I had the opportunity to meet Eric Dijkhuis when he was visiting Seattle as part of the Young Leaders of the Americas...
Four Strategies to Feed Your Innovation Mindset
For the last two years, I have been attending a really fascinating monthly program in Seattle, called the Science & Technology Discovery Series, which has really helped me develop my own innovation mindset. The series is designed for business and community...
What’s Missing from Your Value Proposition
Earlier this week I led an innovation workshop session on value propositions for CoMotion at the University of Washington. CoMotion (in their words) collaboratively moves innovations to impact by helping to create and promote entrepreneurial thinking, innovation...
Does This Dress Make My Roof Look Fat? Fashion, Marketing Innovation, and Technology at Nordstrom
Nordstrom deploys drone and 55' dress to promote their Anniversary Sale. Nordstrom has a long standing tradition of high-touch service, but what you might not know - unless you happen to be a customer - is that this retailer is not afraid to experiment with technology...
Improvising in the Air for a Stellar Customer Experience
I was on Alaska Air, minding my own business, when it became clear to me I was coming down with a bodacious cold. I asked the flight attendant if she could bring me some hot tea, to warm me up. This is what she gave me. A full 2 liter bottle of boiling hot water,...
Transforming Business School Education
Just came back from the Johnson Advisory Council meeting at Cornell, where we discussed the NYC Tech Campus, recently announced by Mayor Bloomberg, and how Johnson will contribute to it. This will be transformational for the business...
Eureka Moments
Every now and then you come across an idea, a spark of inspiration, or an unexpected connection that causes the neurons to fire and say "howdy." These are Eureka Moments. According to Wikipedia, "Archimedes reportedly proclaimed "Eureka!" when he stepped into a bath...