The question asked in our most recent informal innovation poll was “What sources of innovation ideas do you find most valuable?” What did you say about this?
Most of us recognize that ideas can come from many places. So, we see a fairly broad sampling of idea sources represented in the survey responses. However, one source does stand out with almost half of respondents identifying trends from out side their industry as a high value idea source.
This result is a very good sign. When we consider the source of solutions as related to level of inventiveness, the more inventive, high value solutions are found further from the local domain of expertise. The most popular response represents the source that reaches farthest from local domain knowledge among the given options.
It is also fitting that this is the most popular response for this poll ending on what is, in the U.S., Memorial Day weekend. Each year, we set aside one day to remember those brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to make possible the freedom we enjoy. It is also interesting to consider the amount of innovation that has come from the transference of military technology to civilian applications.
Today, we also open a new innovation poll. Recently, I am seeing a growing trend around green innovation. Green is becoming a front burner issue in many organizations. So, this time we are exploring what green innovation drivers are you seeing.
Lets hope that Green innovation attracts the same funding and focus as military research has; if it does the benefits will far outweigh anything from the notoriously inefficient military R&D.
Posted by: Brendan Dunphy | May 27, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Hi Brendan,
I think we are seeing significant growth and acceleration of investment in green initiatives. The jury is still out on how much of this is really innovation investment versus greenwashing, but I see a lot of promising signs out there.
Cheers,
Jim
Posted by: James Todhunter | May 28, 2008 at 08:47 AM