Innovation @ Merage - UCI Paul Merage School of Business : Future, Views on News

The Age of the Unthinkable: Why the New World Disorder Constantly Surprises Us and What We Can Do About It

Lynda Lawrence — Wed, 06 May 2009 23:49:00 GMT

By: Joshua Ramo: Little, Brown, 2009.

While it’s not strictly a business book, this is the best book for business that I’ve reviewed this year. It is, in fact, a whole new way of facing the future of any endeavor: Ramo suggests that the only way to deal with uncertainty is to accept that you can’t possibly predict anything.

He begins with an analogy from physics. When you methodically add single grains of sand to a pile, there is absolutely no way to tell which grain will cause an avalanche. Then, using examples from Google to Hizb’allah, he explains that no successful organization has a vision or strategic plan that can anticipate all the changes in a global and interconnected world. The successful ones, he says, are those that constantly adapt to change.

For most businesses, that attitude is too frightening to contemplate. Strategic planning, quarterly earnings projections, and overpaid executives are not guarantees of anything. Instead, he recommends that organizations think long-term, holistically and flexibly. It’s not innovation as a growth or survival strategy—it’s innovation as an organizational structure, a product and a philosophy.

This one gets a 9.8 on the LL innovation meter. I’d recommend it for anyone who wants to be part of a viable organization in the next few decades. And if any of our nation’s political leaders have the time, it should be on their reading lists as well.

TED Conference Videos: “Ideas Worth Spreading”

admin — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 01:42:00 GMT

Abstract: The annual TED conference brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes or less). This website makes the best talks and performances from TED available to the public, for free. More than 300 talks from our archive are now available, with more added each week.

Published: Ongoing

Authors: Hundreds of the world’s top thinkers covering subjects categorized into dozens of themes.

Link: TED

Can America Invent Its Way Back?

admin — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:20:00 GMT

Abstract: A three page article on "Innovation economics shows how smart ideas can turn into jobs and growth—and keep the U.S. competitive. Also, there is a five minute video with the author who is Business Week’s Chief Economist.

Published: September 11, 2008
Authors: Michael Mandel

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_38/b4100052741280.htm

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

The Innovation Imperative

admin — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 01:30:00 GMT

Abstract: KM World Magazine interviews John Kao, author of Innovation Nation. Kao talks about innovation and its importance to our nation's future.

Published: July 11, 2008

Link: KM World Magazine

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

Obama on Innovation

admin — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:49:00 GMT

Abstract: In this YouTube video filmed last fall, Presidential candidate Barak Obama presents his innovation agenda at Google's Mountain View headquarters.

Link: YouTube

Posted: November 14, 2007

How Nokia Users Drive Innovation

admin — Wed, 07 May 2008 02:39:00 GMT

Abstract: "Through online aps such as Sports Tracker and Nokia Beta Lab, the Finnish handset giant gathers customers' ideas from around the world -- virtually free."

Published: BusinessWeek, April 20, 2008

Authors: Jack Ewing with Kerry Capell

Link: BusinessWeek

Road to Innovation

admin — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:27:00 GMT

An interesting video in which CEO's of two companies i.e. Google and Verizon discuss the impact of innovation on their companies. It’s a show from the Charlie Rose interview series.

Source: Charlie Rose
Link: http://www.usinnovation.org/video/video_rose_08-25-07.asp

Innovation Management

admin — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:07:00 GMT

Fortune Magazine has called Gary Hamel "the world's leading expert on business strategy". In this interview with McKinsey, Hamel discusses management innovation and how new decision-making practices and organizational design can improve the success of your firm.

Source: Joanna Barsh
Link: http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Strategy/Innovation/Innovative_management_A_conversation_between_Gary_Hamel_and_Lowell_Bryan_2065