Is anything ever completely new or original? I recently listened to a podcast from the TED Radio Hour on this topic and it encouraged me to think deeply about this idea of originality, newness and innovation. Let’s look at two popular examples: the iPhone and lean manufacturing. Was the iPhone new or original? Strong arguments […]
The Genesis of an Orphan
Orphan product lines can occur for a variety of reasons usually associated with innovation or simply change within your organization. As orphans are an inevitable result of ongoing innovation, it is essential that an innovative organization is able to recognize and handle them efficiently. If you are an organization with an orphan, you likely are struggling […]
On a Parallel Path: Innovation Emerging as an Organizational Competency
As innovation emerges as a new organizational competency, the path it is following is similar in many ways to the one followed by the field of quality many years ago. Back in the 70’s and 80’s, Quality Circles, Total Quality Management, and ‘Quality is Job One’ were the themes and slogans of the day […]
Recognizing an Orphan or Non-Strategic Product Line
Most medium to large companies have product lines that for one reason or another have become non-strategic. These “orphans” are not always recognized as such and are typically the result of both successful and unsuccessful attempts at innovation. When a company successfully innovates in one area, it is often the case that some of its […]
Micromanaging Innovation
I recently read a fascinating article on a social media site entitled “Micromanagers: Flushing Companies Down the Toilet, One Detail at a Time”(1). While the article is very thought provoking at a company level, the adverse effects of micromanagement on innovation is even more pronounced. After nearly 30 years in leadership roles in product development […]