by admin | Oct 2, 2014 | Innovation
London Fashion Week might not have quite the prestige of its European rivals in Paris and Milan, but it does lead the way in digital innovation, with 90% of shows streamed live, according to the British Fashion Council. British label Burberry was the first brand to live-stream a fashion show in 2010, and is still leading the way in high-tech fashion experiences. During this week’s show, which took place in Kensington Gardens (right next to the royal residence of William and Kate), Burberry became one of the first brands to use Twitter’s new “buy” button for in-tweet purchases, U.S. customers were given the opportunity to buy a limited number of the new spring/summer 2015 nail colors as soon as they appeared on the runway. Read more about it...
by admin | Oct 2, 2014 | Innovation
It’s easy to recognize innovation when it comes in the form of a sexy new gadget with an abundance of media buzz. But sometimes, innovation can be small improvements that have a big impact, says Dan Debow, senior vice-president of emerging technologies at Salesforce.com. “People think innovation is high tech,” says Mr. Debow, a judge for The Globe and Mail’s Innovators at Work contest. “It’s got to be either a group of hackers or something that’s being done in clean rooms with lab coats. What we forget is that innovation is often incremental improvements in the practical realities of normal businesses.” Lonny Thiessen A prime example of this kind of innovative thinking is the “Whale” tanker trailer devised by Mr. Thiessen, president and chief executive officer of Western Manufacturing Ltd., and an Innovators at Work winner in the Natural Resources category. The Whale is a 230-cubic-metre tanker trailer, designed to double the hauling and heating efficiency of mobile tanks used in the energy sector. The supersized tanker trailer – which is mostly used to transport water and other liquids for use in fracking – boasts an improved heating system and is about as big as Department of Transportation regulations allow. It’s innovative because Mr. Thiessen took a traditional mode of transport and found a way to improve upon it, says Mr. Debow. Read more about innovation...
by admin | Aug 4, 2014 | Innovation
What business today does not want to be more innovative? In business parlance, “innovation” has reached a glorified position—like “customer centricity,” it is deemed to be a strategic necessity. But it is hard to define. It means different things to different people. Innovation exists along a continuum, from material improvements to existing products or processes all the way to the rare disruptive innovation. For our purposes, let’s define it as a “big new” for your business or a “big different” in how you operate your business. Read more about it...
by admin | Aug 4, 2014 | Innovation
A debate worth having I know. I know. How could I even suggest government could be remotely helpful when it comes to innovation? Just consider the most frustrating experience you’ve had with government. If you are like most entrepreneurs, you have quite a list from which to choose. Let me give you my current “favorite” one. My chief of staff mailed letters to each and every one of our employees telling them what we intended to do with the ~$48.00 premium reimbursement/surplus in our health care plan. Read more about it...
by admin | Jul 29, 2014 | Innovation
Startups re not smaller versions of large companies, but interestingly we see that companies are not larger versions of startups. I’ve been spending some time with large companies that are interested in using Lean methods. One of the conundrums is why does innovation take so long to happen in corporations? Previously Hank Chesbrough and I have written about some of the strategic issues that impede innovation inside large corporations here and here. Two methods, Design Thinking and Customer Development provide the tactical day-to-day process of how to turn ideas into products. While they both emphasize getting out of the building and taking to customers, they’re not the same. Here’s why. Read more about corporate innovation...
by admin | Jul 23, 2014 | Innovation
Innovation is not only for the tech industry — it is central to the success of any business and it must be an integral part of a business strategy. Consumers have many choices these days, and brands and retailers need to stand out from the rest. All industries have to continually innovate, whether its technology or retail. But how? Birchbox, the popular beauty and grooming online retailer, did something out of the box recently. The popular subscription service — which sends consumers a monthly box filled with deluxe beauty products — ; opened its first physical store in New York City. The store mirrors its online counterpart, making the shopping experience seamless. “Our goal with Birchbox has always been to make it easy, efficient and fun for people to discover new brands and products fit for their lifestyle,” said Katia Beauchamp, cofounder of Birchbox. Read more about why innovation matters...
