Category Archives for "Uncategorized"

Road Blocks To Innovation

Council road blocksEvery business must manage different types of obstacles to continue growing. An important activity that drives business growth is developing innovative ideas. However, innovation “road blocks” can stop even the most promising business venture. During the past 20 years, I have seen many companies fail to identify and apply innovations capable of significantly improving the bottom line. It’s disappointing to see the collapse of an organization with huge potential, especially when a failure to innovate likely contributed to the breakdown.

Increase the success of your own business by learning to identify and overcome innovation “road blocks.” I have identified many such road blocks encountered by numerous companies. Here are several of the most common issues that hold back business innovation.Continue reading

It All Started When I Was 6 Years Old

Steve_in_first_gradeI don’t remember much about First Grade, but fortunately my mom saved this newspaper clipping of me “experimenting” with electricity.  Yes, that’s me on left side of the photo very focused on my project! This was the start of my innovation “career.”

At this same age, I liked to take things apart to discover how they worked. Then, I would take all of the pieces and try to reassemble the device to better understand how it operated. Typically I would get broken appliances or similar items to take apart. But, one day I ran out of broken items, so I started taking apart my mom’s working vacuum cleaner – I got in trouble for that experiment! Fortunately, my dad was an engineer, so he was able to put the vacuum cleaner back together, and it still worked.

Today, more than 40 years later, I still love to learn how things work and spend time helping creative people develop innovative ideas for their business. Those childhood activities helped Continue reading

7 Reasons Why Every Business Must Innovate

innovationMy first job after graduating from college was working as an Electrical Engineer for a small start-up company in Ann Arbor, Michigan. At that time, the company had a single scientist (Don) who was responsible for the company’s innovations. He was very bright and an expert in his field of imaging technology. Since Don was the only person expected to create innovative ideas, the rest of us never really thought about innovation. And, the company only discussed innovation with respect to Don’s work in creating new high-tech inventions. In hindsight, I see that this was a serious problem for the company.

Yes, innovation is critical for companies that are developing new, cutting-edge technologies. However, innovative ideas cover much more than just the latest technology. Since my first job, I have worked with hundreds of companies and entrepreneurs who have a broad view of innovation that can benefit any type of business (not just high-tech companies).

Here are seven of my favorite benefits to help you expand your business by leveraging innovative ideas:Continue reading

Discovering Your Innovation Environment

Innovative ThinkingTo develop innovative ideas for your business, you must find your own “innovation environment” that stimulates your creative energy. Although people can generate creative ideas at any time, intentionally placing yourself into the proper environment can produce excellent innovations that grow your business.

My perfect innovation environment is something like the picture to the left – in a peaceful outdoor setting.  That’s not me sitting on the dock, but I would love to be there!  One of my favorite environments is sitting along the ocean and letting my brain come to life.  Since I live in Spokane, Washington, it’s a long drive to the ocean, but fortunately we have many mountains, rivers, and lakes nearby.  I escape to these places to relax and identify new ideas for my own business.

I first learned about finding an innovation environment from a cartoon character when I was five or six years old. That cartoon character is Winnie the Pooh. My kids love our collection of Winnie the Pooh books, toys, and videos.  Winnie the Pooh was one of my favorite characters when I was a kid too.  But, he’s not just entertainment for kids, he brings an important lesson about innovation to adults!Continue reading

Accelerating Business Growth Through Innovation

Business innovation in word tag cloudDuring the past 20 years I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with over 1000 innovators and business leaders who create new products that impact the lives of many people. I realize that creativity and innovation can have a powerful impact on any business.  Identifying innovations is a critical step in expanding and accelerating your business.  These innovative ideas can reduce expenses, increase revenue, create a competitive edge in the marketplace, and foster a “team environment.”

Innovation in business is implemented by following a system that includes identifying, tracking, and evaluating innovations.  Here are a few things to consider when starting to leverage innovation in your business.

Innovation Disclosures. You cannot leverage innovative ideas that are not identified. To identify creative ideas throughout your business, implement an innovation disclosure program that allows all personnel to easily submit descriptions of their ideas. Encourage everyone in your organization to participate in the innovation program and submit all of their ideas.Continue reading

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