Adoption of a New Idea Takes Time

Mike Wittenstein — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:28:23 -0500

I was an exchange student in Moscow, at the end of the Cold War in 1980. Every morning my fellow students and I would drag ourselves out of bed, put on several layers of clothes and brave the fierce Russian winter. By the time we got close to the university and popped our now slightly warmer heads out of the subway onto the sub-zero streets above, we were pretty hungry. So, we stopped in at one of the many stores that sold coffee and piroshki (meat pies, yes for breakfast).

Innovation

Our Lives Just Changed. Forever. And For The Better.

Mike Wittenstein — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 07:53:13 -0500

Obama wins. America gets a new service innovation capability.

It took only seconds after McCain's concession last night for e-mails to start arriving from Brazil, Malaysia, and Europe. The most significant one, in my opinion, was the one I got from President-elect Obama. In it, he said "I'll be in touch soon about what comes next."

Innovation

Complaints: The First Step In Innovation?

Mike Wittenstein — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:49:16 -0400

Complaints are a first step to innovation. When your customers complain, they're sharing valuable knowledge with you about their unmet need. Knowledge that, if acted on properly, can guide your idea or innovation to the top.

Innovation

The Power of Story for Idea/Innovation Makers (You)

Mike Wittenstein — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 05:16:44 -0400

Idea to innovation. Time to market. Scrap heap or bestseller. For your innovation or idea to make it through the stage gate, gauntlet, market, etc. it has to be communicated. It needs a story. Stories help people understand the significance of your idea by answering what's meaningful about it, how it fits in, why it’s important, how to use it, what others might think of it, is its worth the cost, and so on. As human beings, we are wired for story.

Innovation

Don't you think a crisis is the best time to advance strategically?

Mike Wittenstein — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:16:22 -0400

I think a period of crisis is a great time for change because the crisis offers the burning platform--the necessary emotional impetus for change. What do you think? More, what initiatives are you taking on? Let's talk about them.

Innovation

Innovation Inspiration from the Customer Experience

Mike Wittenstein — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 07:57:09 -0400

Inspiration Innovation from the Customer Experience

Innovation

Comment on Node ant

Mike Wittenstein — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 05:57:12 -0400

Downstream effects are also important to measure (and can really add up).

Which is More Difficult, Service or Product Innovation?

Mike Wittenstein — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:13:30 -0400

When you change the tread design on tires, who do you have to inform up and down the supply chain? What do you have to communicate? And what do you have to track differently? You can probably figure out the answers in your head for these questions.

Innovation

Grocery Store of the Future

Mike Wittenstein — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:09:56 -0400

This commerical was aired byIBM in the late 90's to describe an ideal future--powered, of course, by its own technologies. This is the kind of totally compelling story that more ideas need to get through the many filters we all have that predispose us to not allow new ideas. So, grab people emotionally where it matters, surprise them, unexpectedly please them. Make them remember your 'future' ideas in their present.

Comment on Node ant

Mike Wittenstein — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:01:56 -0400

It will be the many new features 3G cellular is bringing each of us to improve our own experiences at life and at work. From navigation with traffic-avoiding and automatic notification featurse to friend-finding on the grid to voice transcription and voice activated commands that will save us from our own administrivia. For the first time, we may be leaving Zero Sum Gain for a better future. At least, that's what I hope.