Innovation

In the digital age, conventional meetings are obsolete, and when compared to advances in other areas of organizational management, the current art of human collaboration seems archaic. It needn’t be. For most executives, managers, and supervisors, the meeting is the only work management tool they’ve ever used for collaboration. Granted, we now have distance conferencing capabilities, but digital conferencing platforms are basically delivery vehicles— their ultimate effectiveness as a collaborative tool is dependent upon users having the ability to leverage the intellectual and creative potential of the individuals participating in the dialogue. You still need a competent human running the...

Executive Summary Fintech was born from the ashes of the last economic downturn. Could the coronavirus outbreak and resulting financial challenges help or hurt the fintech industry? Financial communications specialist and author of The Money Hackers, Daniel Simon, says the answer isn't clear cut. Venture-backed fintech lenders might crumble under unprecedented defaults, while peer-to-peer lending platforms may struggle to keep up with the amount of people losing their jobs. The only certainty is our relationship with money is forever changed, and traditional banks will likely not be on the winning end of the battle for our spending, saving, and investing....

Executive Summary It seems like all decision making these days is data driven. Many companies are so inundated with facts and figures that they are paralyzed, unable to find the meaning in the numbers. Rishad Tobaccowala has dedicated more than two decades to helping companies realize the promise of digital transformation by first realizing the promise of people. His 6 I Approach helps senior executives, board members, HR leaders, and customer advocates turn data into meaningful business outcomes. At the end of the day, improving data driven decision making will come down to an organization’s willingness to change policies and...

Executive Summary How do you spot an intrapreneur—what qualifications do you look for? That’s the question Simone Bhan Ahuja answers as she attempts to bring a new lens to helping companies find and utilize the intrapreneurs in their midst. Keeping your company relevant so that it’s around in the future will depend on its ability to constantly innovate. In order to utilize what intrapreneurs bring to the table, leadership must understand how to first identify them. Your company’s intrapreneurs are likely its biggest fans, highly invested in the success of its mission. They want to help you find solutions. Support...

Executive Summary What is innovation today, if not creating a new product? John R. Brand explains how innovation, thinking differently, and adding value for your customers all go hand-in-hand. To innovate intelligently, you must understand what your customers value and what they want from you. And, to define what your customers want from you, you must be willing to let go of preconceived notions and think out-of-the-box. Through the leverage of delivery and logistics, expertise, and thought leadership, you can position your company as a value-adding partner to your customers. Customers are looking for someone to help them knock out...

Executive Summary Cloaked in myths, the definition of intrapreneurship is not what you may think. A supportive intrapreneurship strategy not only encourages your employees to keep learning, but it can also result in innovative solutions and generate new revenue streams. A number of organizations today are missing out on the benefits of embracing an intrapreneurial mindset thanks to a false understanding of what intrapreneurship entails. For an intrapreneur to have the ability to execute their ideas, they need the active support of management and a culture and structure that encourages smart risks.   Think twice if you think your company...

Executive Summary Even the best of companies have likely, at some point, refused to innovate out of fear that it would be little more than a waste of time or money. But, what if there was a tried and true way for you to avoid the stupid mistakes that can come with innovation? Could smart innovation not only be worth the risk but vital to the health of your organization? Change for the sake of change is anything but smart. It is only by adopting the principles of smart innovation that a company can both sustain itself and grow successfully....