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Innovation Investment for Developing Economies

Nov-11-11 By Aminda
Recently, announcements have been made of major funding going towards innovation to advance human welfare around the globe. The Gates Foundation has agreed to invest in governmental research and development of new products and technologies to help with global health and agriculture in the developing world. The Foundation, along withChina’s Ministry of Science and Technology are expected to invest $300 million through the course of the project.

A New Approach to Gaining Acceptance of Open Innovation

Nov-09-11 By Aminda
Despite the popularity of open innovation and the fact that many companies desire to embrace it, many organizations still struggle with how to gain acceptance of the concept. Fortunately there are plenty of organizations who have “been there, done that” and have insight and expertise to share. Fuentek, LLC has published a white paper outlining a unique strategy for overcoming unwillingness to accept outside sources.

The three-phased strategy is similar to that used in new product development: understand the customers and their needs, identify the solutions to their needs and then sell the solution to the customer.

New Crowdsourcing Sites Provide New Learning Opportunities

Nov-08-11 By Aminda
Some interesting new crowdsourcing sites are geared towards sharing knowledge.

As Wikipedia has proved there is a large demand for well-organized information on almost any topic, opportunities abound for similar tools. MentorMob.com launched recently with the goal of helping “anyone learn virtually anything by providing a repository of cultivated, crowdsourced educational content organized into step-by-step instruction.”

The Evolving Workplace

Nov-07-11 By Aminda
Dell and Intel recently published a report on the Evolving Workforce, the first in a series outlining findings from studies on the changing makeup of the workforce and how employee demands will shape future IT trends. This first study enlisted experts in 11 countries to gain insight into factors that are driving change. That research identified seven main trends, including the following. Further studies will utilize employee insight and tests to gain deeper insights.

U.S. Copyright Office Proposes Changes

Nov-04-11 By Aminda
The United States Copyright Office recently released priorities and special projects for the coming months, and some of which could, according to one media writer, “bring path-breaking changes to both intellectual property law as well as the entertainment and media industries.”

Redefining the College Crowd

Nov-02-11 By Aminda
Organizations are increasingly realizing the potential of university research labs to contribute to their open innovation strategies. But one writer states, universities have even more opportunities to benefit from their own resources. “Universities are full of untapped talent looking to learn, build their resumes, get involved and maybe make a little extra cash. By capitalizing on this talent, universities can give their students great opportunities for real world learning and get quality solutions for their problems. Schools can use collective brainpower and energy to complete what they can't do on their own, going beyond their budgets and time constraints.”

A Winning Innovation Combination

Nov-01-11 By Aminda
Strong business leaders and strong business models. According to some writers this may be a winning innovation combination.

A book released this summer called The Innovator’s DNA was developed with the goal understanding as much about innovative leaders as possible, including the moment they came up with the creative ideas that launched new products or businesses. From those interviews, five skills were identified that distinguish innovative entrepreneurs and executives from ordinary managers. 

How to Inspire, Not Impede Innovation

Oct-31-11 By Aminda
To stay in business for more than 160 years, a company cannot simply keep operating the same old way. Rather they must keep innovating and adapting to keep up with the times. Leaders at one of the oldest companies in theU.S., Menasha Packaging, knows this well.

Company president Mike Waite shares about the company’s most recent adaptation which took place five years ago. First, the company streamlined internal operations to become more focused on packaging and displays for markets with high potential for growth. Through strategies such as acquisitions and creation of a new division, they laid a foundation that would quickly allow them to operate at the upper end of their industry, with innovative designs, services and supply chain management.

A Woman’s World

Oct-28-11 By Aminda
In 2010, the growth rate of women-owned businesses in the U.S. slowed, for the first time in the past 14 years. During that time period, the number of women-owned businesses has grown at a rate that exceeds the national average—one and a half times the national average. Women today have influence in all areas of business and industry but who are the most influential women in innovation?

There have been lists of the most innovative companies, most innovative countries but none recognizing these leaders. Here we’ve profiled a few standouts who could start this list but there are clearly many more. What do you think? Who would you add to the list of women leaders in innovation?

Protests, Participation and the Future of Politics

Oct-26-11 By Aminda
Making headlines in the U.S.this month are the Occupy Wall Street protests which started inNew York City and spread to cities across the country. Imitation protests are said to have been held in 900 cities around the globe. The movement is a delayed response to the financial meltdown of several years ago, asking for “presidential commission to separate money from politics.”