Innovation @ Merage - UCI Paul Merage School of Business : Consumer Products

Do You Matter? How Great Design Will Make People Love Your Company

Lynda Lawrence — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:30:00 GMT

By: Robert Brunner and Stewart Emory, FT Press (2009).

If you know anyone in love with an iPhone, you may understand the feelings that Brunner and Emery describe. According to them, this fierce devotion extends past the product to the company, and enables Apple to charge higher prices and be forgiven for any mistakes.

Does this apply to companies that don’t make the latest must-have gadget? Only if you concentrate on designing the customer experience as carefully as Apple has designed the entire experience of an iPhone purchase: the meticulous product design, the anticipation, the storytelling, the retail stores full of techies to answer questions, the exquisite packaging, the intuitive interface, the geniuses who do the set up, the follow-up emails, and the easy (and often free) downloading of thousands of apps you never realized you wanted.

If, and only if, you create a company that is focused on creating better-than-expected customer experiences, you can reap the benefits. That means top-down permission to play, no cutting corners, no incremental changes substituting for innovation (think Razr phones), quick prototyping, and even quicker response to the market (think GM).

While the recommendations are easier to apply to a product-focused company, they will apply to services. If you’re in charge of a small company that needs to innovate, or in charge of design and need to sell your ideas company-wide, this would be a good book to use.
I’d give it an 8.5 on the LL innovation meter—not a lot of new insight, but a persuasive argument.

Innovation Trickles in a New Direction

admin — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:55:00 GMT

Abstract: General Electric, Nokia and other companies are creating entry-level products for emerging nations and then repackaging them for more affluent countries in a process known as trickle-up innovation.

Published: March 9, 2009

Authors: Reena Jana

Link: BusinessWeek

Social Network Lending - Solving the Credit Crisis One Loan at a Time

admin — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:21:00 GMT

Abstract: In an innovative approach to the credit crunch, next-gen lenders are teaming up to market their on-line services to consumers. Using a peer-to-peer model, these lenders offer an interesting alternative to the traditional credit market.

Published: February 25, 2009

Author: Anya Kamenetz

Link: Fast Company

P&G's Innovation Culture

admin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:22:00 GMT

Abstract: How we built a world-class organic growth engine by investing in people.

Published: Autumn 2008

Authors: A.G. Lafley with Ram Charan

Link: strategy+business

The Unique Advantage

admin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:02:00 GMT

Abstract: Innovation is difficult for mature, slow-growth businesses and often results in long line extensions rather than high-profit, game-changing innovations. Companies, especially those focused on food and consumer products, need to rethink their innovation strategies to develop products that are unique and hard to copy.

Published: Autum 2008

Authors: Alexander Kandybin and Surbee Grover by Alexander Kandybin and Surbhee Grover

Link: strategy+business

What is Biomimicry?

admin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:40:00 GMT

Abstract: Mother Nature is the surprising source of inspiration for a host of innovations. Engineers, scientists and product designers are taking cues from nature to solve the toughest design problems.

Published: September 2008

Authors: Hillary Woolley

Link: BNET

Designing the Future of Business

admin — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:35:00 GMT

Abstract: Forget total quality. Forget top-down strategy. Design is the engine that can transform a company into a powerhouse of nonstop innovation.

Published: August 13, 2008

Author: Marty Neumeier

Link: BusinessWeek

Hydrogen-Powered Cars: Brew Your Own

admin — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:44:00 GMT

Abstract: Home-brew kits for hydrogen may bring it back into contention as a vehicle fuel.

Published: July 30, 2008

Link: The Economist

Making Mobile Networks Cheap and Green

admin — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:26:00 GMT

Abstract: Innovative base station designs will enable those at the far reaches of the world to have cell phones.

Published: August 4, 2008

Author: Jennifer L. Schenker

Link: Spiegel Online International

Learning from the Olympics

admin — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:25:00 GMT

Abstract: From GE to Nestlé to watchmaker Omega, companies use the Games to test-drive new ideas—and strut their stuff.

Published: Business Week, August 7, 2008
Authors: Reena Jana, Frederik Balfour and Oriana Schwindt

Links: Business Week - article Business Week – related slideshow

P&G Changes Its Game

admin — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:32:00 GMT

Abstract: P&G is using "design thinking" to tackle difficult business problems. While this may seem like the latest innovation buzzword, P&G is using the technique to generate effective ideas and, more importantly, change its culture.

Published: July 28, 2008

Author: Jenanne Rae

Link: BusinessWeek

2008 IDEA Awards

admin — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:00:00 GMT

Abstract: BusinessWeek reports that while the U.S. held first place, Asia, South America and Europe offered stronger competion than ever. Students also had a strong showing, winning 16% of the awards. Click the link below to view the best design ideas for 2008.

Published: BusinessWeek, July 17, 2008

Author: Bruce Nussbaum

Link: BusinessWeek

Striking While the Iron's Hot

admin — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:43:00 GMT

Abstract: Callaway has long been the leading seller of women's golf equipment, but it wanted to expand its lead in this growing sector of the golf market. To do that the company figured it couldn't settle for an attitude of "OK, let's paint it pink, cut the shaft down by an inch and a half, put a woman's grip on it, and we have a woman's club." While the technical people at Callaway knew what could be done with the design of a golf club, they didn't know exactly what women needed and wanted in their clubs.

Published: Wall Street Journal, June 23, 2008
Authors: Timothy J. Carroll

Link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121372702050581575.html?mod=2_1585_topbox

East Meets West

admin — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:04:00 GMT

Abstract: How a new Buick was made to appeal to a skeptical U.S. audience, as well as to the booming market in China.

Published: Wall Street Journal, June 23, 2008
Authors: John D. Stoll

Link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121372750341881589.html?mod=2_1585_leftbox

Water, Water, Everywhere

admin — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:27:00 GMT

Abstract: The LifeStraw looks simple. But it has the potential to save many lives. Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen didn't set out to help millions of people get access to safe drinking water. At the age of 19, he dropped out of school and moved to Nigeria to sell trucks. But when a political coup forced him to leave Africa and return to his native Denmark in 1992, he reluctantly agreed to join the family textile business if he could focus on relief-aid products.
His experience in Africa and later working with the Carter Center in Atlanta…convinced him that people in developing countries needed a simple, durable device to purify water.

The result was the LifeStraw, a personal, portable water purifier that eliminates virtually all waterborne bacteria and most viruses responsible for causing diarrheal diseases. The product, which costs as little as $3, has won a number of awards, including the 2008 Saatchi & Saatchi Award for World Changing Ideas.

Published: Wall Street Journal, June 23, 2008
Authors: Jilian Mincer

Link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121372818319181665.html