Innovation Management ? Testing Ideas

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.

There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be defined as consisting of a number of ideas, a number of diverse ideas and a number of novel ideas.

There are distinct processes that enhance problem identification and idea generation and, similarly, distinct processes that enhance idea selection, development and commercialisation. Whilst there is no sure fire route to commercial success, these processes improve the probability that good ideas will be generated and selected and that investment in developing and commercialising those ideas will not be wasted.

Testing Ideas

Sometimes ignoring everybody works. But this is rare. And only wise if you can afford the loss.

Success is more often related to verifying that the assumptions being made are indeed valid.

Before investing time and money, test the idea:

a) Does it indeed address the end users problem? Is this a problem that they are willing to spend money solving? Irons that talk to the microwave may sound like a good idea, but why will the customer want this and will she spend money on it? How exactly will the consumer benefit?

b) Are we persuading ourselves that the idea will work? Is there a high degree of groupthink? Are we persuading ourselves that the marketing team will create desire?

c) Is there strategic, technical and competency fit with the firm?

d) What are the practical impediments? Are we considering cultural and emotional impediments as well as technical?

These and other topics are covered in depth in the MBA dissertation on Managing Creativity & Innovation, which can be purchased (along with a Creativity and Innovation DIY Audit, Good Idea Generator Software and Power Point Presentation) from http://www.managing-creativity.com/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

**********************************

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained.

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached on http://www.managing-creativity.com/

In The News:


TIME

Is Innovation Dead — Or Doing Just Fine, Thank You?
TIME
But Facebook isn't the only concern of the innovation-worriers. In the Washington Post, tech writer Joshua Topolsky takes a look at the latest batch of allegedly cutting-edge smart phones and finds them all distressingly same-y.
Facebook Is More Proof Innovation Is Thriving In Silicon ValleyForbes

all 2 news articles »

SOLVAY OPENS A MAJOR INNOVATION CENTRE IN INDIA
Reuters
Brussels and Savli, 25 May 2012, at 7:30 am SOLVAY OPENS A MAJOR INNOVATION CENTRE IN INDIA New Research, Development and Technology Centre to focus on high-performance polymers, organic chemistry, nano composites and green chemistry Solvay is today ...

and more »

CompuCom Is Honored By SkillSoft and Industry Leaders for Innovation in Learning
MarketWatch (press release)
DALLAS, May 25, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- CompuCom Systems, Inc. has been awarded a 2012 SkillSoft Perspectives Innovation in Learning Honorable Mention Award for Inspiring Leadership Development. Along with twelve others, CompuCom was honored at the ...

and more »

NutraIngredients-usa.com

Senate Passes FDA Safety And Innovation Act
Sacramento Bee
By Consumers Union WASHINGTON, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Senate approved the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act today. While the legislation includes some improvements over current law, it leaves significant flaws ...
Alexander Says FDA Safety And Innovation Act Affects Every American FamilyThe Chattanoogan
US Senate Adds Synthetic Substance 2C-E to Bill That Could Ban Synthetic DrugsNorthland's NewsCenter
Senate passes FDA reauthorizationThe Hill (blog)

all 277 news articles »

Post Online

Innovation Group's New Version of Insurer Conversion Enhances Capability of ...
MarketWatch (press release)
FARMINGTON, CT, May 24, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- The Innovation Group plc (Innovation Group), a global provider of business process services and software solutions to the insurance, fleet, automotive and property industries, today released a new ...
Innovation Group Releases New Insurer ConversionInsurance Networking News
INNOVATION GROUP PLC : - US Contract Win4-traders
Innovation Group profits from insurancePost Online

all 10 news articles »

CarteNav Solutions Inc. Awarded Atlantic Innovation Funding (AIF)
San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
Halifax, NS (PRWEB) May 24, 2012 ACOA's Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF) is an initiative through which the Government of Canada is making strategic investments aimed at increasing Atlantic Canada's innovation capacity. This program is highly-competitive ...

and more »

Philadelphia Inquirer (blog)

Cable Must Step Up Innovation, says Comcast and Time Warner
Philadelphia Inquirer (blog)
While the media focused on the new Wi-Fi hotspot roaming agreement announced this week at The Cable Show, there was lots more innovation popping up at the Boston trade event - new platforms, apps and services. And in panel discussions, chief technology ...

and more »

Globe and Mail

Canadian innovations get to market faster
Globe and Mail
A stronger emphasis on development by governments and research-funding organizations may be helping Canadian entrepreneurs get their innovations to market faster. But experts say a stubborn innovation gap remains, particularly in life sciences.


TripleTree Announces the 2012 iAwards Winners
MarketWatch (press release)
Four finalists in three different categories, Operational Innovation, Clinical Innovation and Consumer Innovation, had been previously announced on April 25. The twelve finalists were AwarePoint, Centene, Consult-a-Doctor, CureMD, eviti, Fitlinxx, ...

and more »

Vivaldi Partners Group Sponsoring World Innovation Forum
San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
Global Brand and Innovation Strategy Consulting Firm Kicking Off WIF with Workshop New York, NY (PRWEB) May 24, 2012 Vivaldi Partners Group (www.vivaldipartners.com/) will kick off the World Innovation Forum on June 20th with a sponsored workshop on ...

and more »
Google News

Can We Change People?

There was a class of "challenged" children and many teachers... Read More

Business Innovation ? the Best Ideas

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Starving for Intimacy

Some are seeking love in a bottle. Others look for... Read More

12 Tips for Taking Smart, Calculated Risks

Most of us know we should take more risks. But... Read More

Prevention is Better Than Cure... Says Who?

You've likely heard this before... "An ounce of prevention is... Read More

Peace Alliance vs. Fighting a Battle

We read in the press about the "War on Drugs"... Read More

Color Your Life

Have you ever arrived at place in your career and... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management - Special People?

People often think that there is a creative type. This... Read More

Humankinds Greatest Inventions

There are a number of amazing inventions that have been... Read More

The Hidden Superpowers Of Your Mind

The mind is an infinite wonder. It has the fantastic... Read More

What Dreams Will Come!

As the pioneers of aviation took to the air (not... Read More

Facing a Resource Crunch? Read On!

Recently I read an excerpt from a new business innovation... Read More

Three Step Problem Solving

How do you like to solve your problems? Do you... Read More

Business Innovation ? Good Thinking NOT Leadership

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management - Teach, Coach, Learn

Coaching, training or learning about creativity and innovation involves mastery... Read More

Set Yourself Up for Success!

Set Yourself Up For Success!... Read More

Innovation Management ? predicting winners

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Perfectionism - The Dangerous Trap!

Just when I have something figured out, along comes another... Read More

Innovation Management ? Isolating Problems and Implementing Solutions

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Fire Evacuation Drill with a Difference

I had been given the task to organize a fire... Read More

Is Mans Next Step Like A Can of Potted Meat?

Is it the dawning of the Age of Aquarius? For... Read More

Improve Your Small Talk - Gain Big Dividends!

Do you hate to make small talk? If so, you... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management - Good Ideas Part 1

The constant search for Good Ideas has resulted in many... Read More

Creativity, Innovation, and the Importance of Spontaneity

Spontaneity occurs when ideas or behaviours are expressed without evaluation.... Read More

How to Turn Nothing Into Something

Excerpted from the Jim Rohn Weekend Seminar-Excelling in the New... Read More