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Lifesaving Networks

Mar-23-11 By Aminda
Innovators are committed to making the world a better place, from developing energy-saving technologies to designing creative ways to engage customers in corporate social responsibility. A couple new grassroots efforts show how effective some simple initiatives can be in saving lives.
Helping Citizens Help Each Other
There’s a hero in all of us, according to a California fire department who this year launched a free iPhone app called fire department that could make heroes out of many more of us. Users trained in CPR can sign up to be notified if someone nearby is a victim of sudden cardiac arrest and may require CPR. If the cardiac emergency is in a public place, the application, using sophisticated GPS technology, will alert citizens in the vicinity of the need for CPR. The application also directs these citizen rescuers to the exact location of the closest public access Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Global Innovation Centers

Mar-22-11 By Aminda
Several new innovation centers have either been open or announced, with the goal of stimulating innovation in diverse countries and in varied industries.
Technology in Canada
This month, Toronto based technology consultants, UNIS LUMIN, launched a national Innovation Office, dedicated to exploring and analyzing trends in business and technology, and developing roadmaps to open innovation opportunities for companies pursuing leadership positions in their industries. According to a company press release, the center is designed to a place where customers and UNIS LUMIN to validate and develop fresh business strategies with the potential to drive competitive advantage and differentiation. A cross-section of business partners have been invited to participate in an inaugural Innovation forum, to learn, debate and exchange strategic ideas.

Aiding Recovery in Japan

Mar-21-11 By Aminda
For the past week, the world has been fixed on news of the devastation in Japan; the initial damage from the earthquake and the subsequent nuclear threat. In addition to traditional aid, several innovative technology-based efforts have been undertaken to help the country in this time of crisis.

Capitalizing on Customer Service

Mar-17-11 By Aminda
“If you build it, they will come.” The statement might be one of the biggest myths in today’s crowded business environment. Most businesses must follow a careful process to bring the right product to the right market and then follow through with exceptional customer service that will both encourage repeat purchase and incentivize new customers.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is a valuable skill for any innovator looking to share their idea with the world. “Just as you don't have a performance without an audience, you can't have innovation without customers”, according to an HBR article. Here are some tools.

Highlights from South by Southwest

Mar-15-11 By Aminda
For those unable to attend the South by Southwest Interactive conference in Austin, Texas this week, here are a few notable quotes and highlights. The five day conference is the largest technology/Internet conference in the United States, features a trade show, networking events and an extensive educational program.
 Rebooting Iceland
A YouTube clip shares highlights from an inspiring panel of young Icelandic visionaries who have been part of a citizen group working to shape a new national constitution for the country recovering from a 2008 economic collapse. The process started in 2009, when a group of 1,500 citizens, representing a subset of voices from the entire nation, convened for a day. The event, based on Agile methods and crowdsourcing theory, resulted in a coherent set of values, vision and ideas. A second assembly was held in 2010 as a preparatory step in the development of a new national constitution. Inspired by open-source processes and leaning heavily on social media technologies, these citizens are rapidly prototyping new forms of democracy utilizing the web and open innovation. They are rethinking Iceland’s role in the world; determined for the country to be seen not only a tiny island but as a new developer of democracy.

Governments Making Gains

Mar-14-11 By Aminda
Governments across the globe continue to make a difference by embracing Open Innovation strategies. Here are a few stories.
UK University IP
The Universities of Bristol, Glasgow and King’s College London have won £80,000 in funding from the Intellectual Property Office – the government body responsible for granting Intellectual Property (IP) rights in the United Kingdom – to pioneer easy access to their intellectual assets.
According to a University representative, the pioneering project will advance the use of IP created by the three Universities by innovative growth companies and offers a new way for Universities to contribute to the growth required in the UK economy.

Inspiring Organzational Change

Mar-04-11 By Aminda
Effective internal communication is critical to businesses during challenging times. Whether finances are falling or customer complaints are rising, it takes carefully crafted messaging to galvanize and generate the action needed. Change and complexity need to be expected, organizations cannot be comfortable operating status quo. Following Microsoft and Nokia’s recent partnership, it’s worth revisiting the message Nokia’s CEO Stephen Elop used to prepare his company for a shake-up. This internal memo was widely publicized when it was leaked a couple weeks before the partnership was announced. It’s a great example of a well-crafted, motivating message that can be an example to any leader looking to inspire an organization to embrace change and innovation.

The Rx for Change?

Feb-28-11 By Aminda
Extensive content has been written about barriers to open innovation faced by companies. It’s said that leaders just need to change their mindset, change their vision, change their organizational structure. All the good advice and direction can be more overwhelming than the thought of implementing open innovation in the first place.
An article about crowdsourcing posted by American Medical News makes an interesting observation that might apply to any business leader debating the implementation of an open innovation strategy.

Microsoft and Nokia: Extreme Open Innovation?

Feb-26-11 By Aminda
Since Microsoft and Nokia announced their new partnership earlier this month, there has been plenty of speculation in both the business and technology industries over what exactly what the partnership means.
Is it open innovation? The partnership has been utilized to promote the practice of open collaboration but while both companies have embraced open practices, this partnership involves much more than just sharing technologies or even sharing development plans and building products together, which typical of a reseller deal. The firms also plan to combine assets and collaborate on joint marketing initiatives. A joint statement from the two CEOs describes their plans as a “broad strategic partnership that combines the respective strengths of the companies and builds a new global mobile ecosystem.”

The Schoolhouse of the Future

Feb-25-11 By Aminda
 Anyone wondering whether the workforce of the future will be prepared to manage rapid innovation should be interested in some examples of how educators, beyond Henry Chesbrough at the Haas Business School, UC Berkeley, are stepping up to ensure classrooms evolve; utilizing technology and teamwork to prepare students for tomorrow’s challenges.