Editor | On 01, Jan 2010

Message: 624
Posted by: Michael von Hirsch
Posted on: Thursday, 14th June 2007

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Hi,

Trying to find a sort of a “memory jogger” type of small book that

– outlines some key tools that may be applied to process and value innovate

– advises on the corner stones to be considered when establishing an innovation company culture

Perhaps someone has a tip?

Thanks

Michael

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Message: 625
Posted by: Richard Randolph, Jr.
Posted on: Thursday, 14th June 2007

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Good question. I have never encountered a brief “Memory Jogger” booklet for focused/applied Innovation. If I were to compile such a tool, I would start with:

* What Customers Want — Using Outcome-Driven Innovation to Create Breakthrough Products and Services by Anthony Ulwick* Lateral Thinking — Creativity Step by Step by Edward de Bono* Six Thinking Hats and Six Action Shoes, also by Edward de Bono

In my research, these seem to be the most focused and useful “tools/methods” resources I have found. It would be an interesting process to synthesize them down to a few summary pages of “how to” wouldn't it? //RR

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Message: 626
Posted by: InnovationColorado
Posted on: Thursday, 14th June 2007

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Richard,

Try the “Creativity Tools Memory Jogger” from GOAL / QPC — it is pocket-sized (3 inch by 5 inch, about 180 pages) and has very good explanations of various tools (brainwriting, knowledge mapping, morphological box, purpose hierarchy, word associations, et. al.) as well as explanation of approaches, like DeBono's Lateral Thinking — available from goalqpc.com

Best regards,

InnovationColorado

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Message: 627
Posted by: Jacquie H.
Posted on: Thursday, 14th June 2007

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Funny timing. I was just in the market for something like this. I found 'Idea Edge' – still waiting for it to arrive from Amazon. It's bigger than memory joggers, but it's not a book for each tool either. Might be worth a look.

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Message: 628
Posted by: InnovationColorado
Posted on: Thursday, 14th June 2007

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Jacquie,

I have a copy of the orginial 1998 printing of  “Idea Edge” from GOAL/QPC — one of my colleagues at the time was a contributor to this book. It is quite good — has a lot of tools (brainwriting 6-3-5, morphological box, NGT, etc) — it is the basis (I think) for GOAL / QPC's “Creativity Tools Memory Jogger”, which I also highly recommend.

The “Creativity Tools Memory Jogger” is pure tools — the “Idea Edge” book has the tools, but also lots of examples, frequently asked questions, supplemental reading, etc.

Best regards,

InnovationColorado

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Message: 629
Posted by: Jacquie H.
Posted on: Thursday, 14th June 2007

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InnovationColorado,

It's nice to hear good things about it. I think I'll go ahead and add the memory jogger to my order.

Thanks!

Jacquie

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Message: 639
Posted by: Michael von Hirsch
Posted on: Thursday, 21st June 2007

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Thanks so much for your input.Guess I will be reading the one from Anthony Ulwick. There is one chapter called 'Formulating the innovation strategy' that may interest me.

I think there are enough tools but I do not see that people are always ready to them…what I am trying to initiate is the creation of a company innovation culture, simplified changing employee's behavior.  I see it as a success critical prerequiste to apply all those tools meaningfully. So the challenge for me is how to turn a sales and marketing company into one that allows sales and marketing people, not R& D engineers!, to invent proceses and services that a company can cash in. I found some books and white papers with idea how to, I may really have to synthesize them down to a small booklet …I'll see…Michael

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Message: 646
Posted by: InnovationColorado
Posted on: Friday, 22nd June 2007

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Michael, Good morning!

Regarding your comment ” … I think there are enough tools but I do not see that people are always ready … “

I suggest you just jump in there and apply the tools with some of your colleagues.  For instance, I have always found that people are receptive to brainwriting.  I do NOT teach them brainwriting, though, in a class.

Instead, we get together in a group, do 4 minutes explaining the tool, and then use it!

The results are almost always very good, and the reaction in overwhelmingly positive!

Do you think this would work in your situation?

Best regards,

InnovationColorado

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