Innovation
Hero-worship or Headbanging
In his new book on entrepreneurship, John Byrne collates interviews with numerous pioneers of commerce. Some common traits emerge, but some profiles may not be startling.
Results, Not Praise
This Corner Office interview with John Donovan, ATT's CTO, touches on a variety of career issues, including leadership, hiring, team-building, innovation, and managing at very large scale. Much to admire--would...
Best Biz Books of 2011
Kai Rysdaal asked a team of reviewers to suggest their favorite business books of the year. Some of the picks are familiar; others might surprise you. What do YOU recommend?
Only CEO Can Make BIG Bets
This post suggests that true innovation, rather than evolution, requires commitment above the pay grades of those who collect and analyze data. Only the CEO can use his/her 'educated gut' to chart the organization's...
Are You Firing Lead Bullets?
Ben Horowitz uses his own experience to illustrate an essential theory of competition--in situations where there is no silver bullet, fire lead ones to fight for your company's survival.
The Wizard of Oz and YOU
How can you compete effectively as a start-up with established brands? This post describes one firm's action plan used with great success to overcome prospective customers' reluctance. Does size really matter for Y...
CEOs Who See Through Walls
This post makes the case for leaders who understand and address social/environmental obstacles to growth--and in so doing create paths to untapped potential that benefit their shareholders, employees AND the...
Superstar vs. Teamwork
Don't try to force an exceptional innovator into a teamwork-intensive role, and give teams charged with innovation time to gel as a creative and productive organism, says the author of a recent study at the Tuck...
Can You Afford to Say No?
Leadership requires the ability to inspire. Innovation is essential to long-term success. So how do you motivate employees to be creative when many/most of their ideas won't work?
Middle Managers Yield High Impact
Booz & Co. studied pharma research productivity and identified mid-level managers as a linchpin. Knowing the most creative young innovators and helping to promote their efforts internally, as well as externally, can...
Hiring: Necessary But Not Sufficient
New research suggests that talent management is among the most crucial elements of innovation success--and the ripest opportunity for improvement. Too many firms focus on hiring but fall down on development,...
What's in a Website?
Users and experts compare JetBlue's website to Continental's. Does form matter over function? See the results and apply the lessons to your own firm's offerings.
How to Be an Empathic CEO
David Kelley, founder of IDEO and Stanford's Design School, believes empathy is among an executive's most vital leadership tools. The interview also touches on hiring, mentoring, and other management topics.
All the News That's Fit to Price
Arguments abound as to the wisdom and structure of the NYTimes' recent announcement they will charge for more than casual use of its website. Most revolve around how much vs. whether to levy a fee. Will YOU subscribe?
Is Your Mindset Type 1 or 2?
New Stanford research finds failure can fuel innovation. Type 1s are fearful of errors, while Type 2s fear losing out on opportunities and therefore are most open to innovative ideas. Which type are YOU?
Harvard for Entrepreneurs
Y Combinator, a start-up boot camp where entrepreneurs can get coaching and funding, is growing rapidly. But will it provide a better return for its investors than the companies it mentors?
Betting the Ranch--Strategically
Ram Charan argues that leaders must sometimes take enormous risks, whether to avoid an industry in decline, create a culture of innovation, or to compete effectively for human or natural resources. Uncertainty is...
Your Desk Like This?
Check out the workspaces of seven highly creative professionals. If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, would you want an empty desk? Does yours resemble any of these?
Best iPad Accessories
Love your iPad but can't find the perfect case, stand, or remote access tool? Check out this list from thinker David Shenk.
Jetson's or the GoogleCar?
Have you been wondering what that Prius is--the one you see from time to time, cruising on local streets with futuristic revolving equipment on the roof? Now we know it's a test version of Google's self-driving...
