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 Accurate problem definition is critical to effective problem solving http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1691 In business and in life, clear and accurate problem definition is an essential prerequisite for effective problem solving. This may sound obvious, or even trite, but this simple truth can be overlooked by those with pressing needs and a bias for action. How could your company benefit from crowdsourcing? http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1692 Crowdsourcing continues to be a good tool for innovation. And, you could participate on either the challenge end or the participant end. If your organization hasn't found a way to try it, here's a good example. Demystifying the path to technology partnerships http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1690 There is often a considerable amount of ambiguity at the outset of open innovation partnerships. Quite often, the technology customer is considerably larger than the provider and is being pursued versus being the pursuer. The technology provider almost never knows the full extent of what needs to be demonstrated in order to earn a customer's business commitment. They are also quite often reluctant to ask so as to avoid offending the other party or seeming ignorant or unsophisticated. How can this situation be improved? A promising approach to finding technology solutions: Supplier summits http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1688 Given the relatively small number of qualified solution providers for any given technical challenge, one fairly productive and successful problem solving approach undertaken by corporate technology seekers is to organize "supplier summits." Transforming a classic industry with innovation http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1689 What technology could be older than making glass? The history of glassmaking can be traced back to 3500 BCE in Mesopotamia. So what are we to make of the headline of a current Mike Elgan piece in Computerworld: "Consumer Electronics Glass Innovation to Transform Industry." Using behavior as a lever to drive innovation in large companies http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1686 How can your company use behavior as a lever to improve innovation in a complex organization? This upcoming webinar aims to find out. Who is your personal innovation hero? http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1687 On the occasion of the release of TIME Magazine's 2012 Top 100 List, Ruth Ann Hattori asks, who is your personal innovation hero? Can companies sidestep disruptive innovation? http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1684 Can companies sidestep or blunt the effects of disruptive innovation? It's possible, but not likely, explains Steve Denning in a recent Forbes column. (Social) networking and problem solving http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1685 Networking involves utilizing our connections to reach the solutions we seek. Do you and your company fully utilize your networks to help solve your challenges? Up Your Impact website launched; book due out May 1 http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1683 A lot has happened since the last update on my new book, Up Your Impact: 52 Innovative Strategies to Add Value to Your Work. CEOs: The only true leaders of innovation http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1681 In his recent BusinessWeek post entitled "Memo to CEOs: Stop Blathering about Innovation and Do Something," innovation guru Tom Kuczmarksi reminds us that CEOs must be the true leaders of innovation. 2 new iPhone apps help users generate creative ideas http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1682 The iPhone has been a very active platform, with developers writing numerous brainstorming apps for sale in the Apple AppStore. Two of the most recent additions are the iKnowBrainer and Unleash Your Creativity. The problem with open innovation web portals http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1678 Michael Fruhling doesn;t like open innovation portals, in general. What's his problem with them? Developer explores crowdfunding approach for creating educational apps http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1679 IDEA.org seeks to develop the thesaurus of the future and seeks to raise money to develop the iPad app it envisions via the popular crowdfunding service Kickstarter. Developer explores crowdfunding approach for developing educational apps http://www.innovationtools.com/weblog/innovationblog-detail.asp?ArticleID=1680 IDEA.org seeks to develop the thesaurus of the future and seeks to raise money to develop the iPad app it envisions via the popular crowdfunding service Kickstarter.