IdeaWise

Innovation is a critical factor in business success today. However, companies can often find themselves stuck when trying to come up with a truly new idea. What they don't realize-and what this book reveals-is that it's not necessary to reinvent the wheel or hire a high-priced consultant to be truly innovative. Instead, you need to learn that the most creative and dynamic ideas are already there, just waiting for you to adapt them to your needs. It's called becoming IdeaWise. Steve Rivkin and Fraser Seitel demystify the creation of great new innovations in IdeaWise, showing you how to foster fresh thinking that solves problems and propels business. They demonstrate how to borrow an existing idea and manipulate it in inventive ways to produce new products and business solutions. Inside, you'll find easy-to-understand methods that prove that a subtle twist on an idea can make a huge impact on business, including: * What can you combine with an existing idea? (Band-Aids are now available with antibiotic ointment already on the pad.) * What can you magnify or minimize? (McDonald's and Pizza Hut are shrinking their outlets to fit inside airport terminals.) * What can you eliminate? (Saturn did away with pushy salespeople to address customers' fears of the car-buying process.) * What can you reverse? (Lego did an about-face on an ill-advised diversification and returned to its core business.) * What can you bring back? (Commerce Bank is bringing back the old values of long hours and personal service in consumer and small business banking.) The authors reveal how anyone can be creative and transform new ideas through logic, common sense, and practicality. You'll discover what you should beware of in the Idea Industry, consultant speak, and formulaic solutions. And you'll explore the three major process steps that will make you IdeaWise: * How to work most effectively by yourself on new ideas * How to work most effectively on new ideas in a group setting * How to begin evaluating your ideas Converting innovative ideas into organizational action takes courage, boldness, and no small amount of passion. With IdeaWise, you'll conquer any fears and doubts and bring to life the forward-thinking innovations that will inspire and invigorate your company.