Abstract:  Inventions that aren't commercialized remain inventions, not innovations. Companies such as Apple are organized internally to repeatedly produce innovations in the core business as well as in new businesses. Such companies make sure that their innovations matter and their products are really valued by the customers. This article’s conclusion is that an invention should solve some job that needs to be done. The product developed in the process should matter enough that the customers are willing to pay for the same. Companies should not go too far to battle over the marginal differences but should rather focus more on creating products that are really valued by their customers.

Published: Bloomberg Businessweek, March 2011

Authors: Mark W. Johnson

Link: Making Innovation Matter