Innovation Weblog http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovation-weblog.asp The Innovation Weblog is a meta-index of the latest innovation trends, news, technology, resources and viewpoints. It covers topics including innovation research and best practices and strategies, innovation management, business use of Weblogs for ideation and collaboration, and much more. en-us Thinkerbot: A new web-based 'ambient stimulus' tool for lateral thinking http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1664 The Thinkerbot is a new online brainstorming tool that offers a stream of randomly-selected images, video and audio clips from around the web as a means of providing you with 'non-linear inspiration' for your brainstorming sessions. 8 random word generator tools for brainstorming http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1663 Do you need to generate some fresh ideas, far removed from your usual well-worn paths of thinking? Why not use a random word generator as a creative stimulus? Here are 8 tools you can use to source random words. A new innovation workbook from Nicholas Webb (an exclusive for InnovationTools readers) http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1662 The overwhelming majority of organizations that fail to succeed at innovation have never taken the time to go through a candid and deep assessment of where they currently stand in terms of innovation readiness. That's why Nicholas Webb's new Innovation Superstar Workbook is a welcome addition to the body of knowledge about innovation. Open innovation: Prone to bandwidth challenges http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1661 Open innovation can fall prey to bandwidth issues. In other words, executives get so busy with current projects that they lack the time and attention span to be able to consider new opportunities in a timely fashion. Contract employees: A potentially valuable source of ideas http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1660 A recent Good Morning Thinkers e-newsletter reminds us that contract employees often have excellent ideas and perspectives that we can benefit from, if only we're open to them. New survey aims to gauge how companies are using collaboration to innovate http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1658 CollaborativeInnovation.org is conducting a new survey to help it understand how companies are using collaboration to help drive innovation. Please participate. InnovationTools.com celebrates 10 years of service to the innovation community http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1659 Ten years ago this month, I launched InnovationTools.com as the first-ever innovation portal site. Here's a retrospective on the last decade of innovation, and a look toward the future. How to make open innovation more open http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1656 Here are some common-sense suggestions to improve everyone's experience when implementing open innovation initiatives. Is your organization strategically bankrupt? http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1657 How many of the organizations we know today are the victims of "strategic bankruptcy," operating on inertia, starting to work a 2012 business plan that is little more than 2011's plan plus 3-4 percent? 2012: The golden age of creative opportunity http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1655 Despite all the talk of doom and gloom, a world economy that continues to stagnate and uncertainty all around us, there has never been a better time to be a creative opportunist. Use Ben Franklin's technique to become more creative http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1654 In Robert Allen Black's creativity book, Broken Crayons: Break Your Crayons and Draw Outside the Lines, the author shares an intriguing story from the autobiography of Ben Franklin that you can adapt to become more creative. How our schooling causes us to have creative 'blinders' http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1652 Our schooling is causing us to grow up not even realizing that we've been equipped with "blinders" that severely limit our ability to innovate. So says the author of an education blog. Get inspired and capture your ideas in the new ThinkBook http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1653 Raj Setty's new ThinkBook combines a writing journal with creative inspiration, to help you to bring your best ideas to fruition. More creative goodies from Tanner Christensen http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1650 In February, I told you about Think Unstuck, an excellent creativity e-book by Tanner Christensen, principal of Aspindle, an incubator of creative ideas. I recently visited his firm's website again and was pleasantly surprised to see 4 more e-books covering different aspects of creative thinking. What is the most important lesson you learned about innovation in 2011? http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1651 It's time for my 8th annual Innovation Lessons roundup. This popular end-of-year wrap-up collects some excellent wisdom from InnovationTools readers and consolidates it into a thought-provoking summary.