Great Ideas and Radical or Disruptive Innovation

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.

There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be defined as consisting of a number of ideas, a number of diverse ideas and a number of novel ideas.

There are distinct processes that enhance problem identification and idea generation and, similarly, distinct processes that enhance idea selection, development and commercialisation. Whilst there is no sure fire route to commercial success, these processes improve the probability that good ideas will be generated and selected and that investment in developing and commercialising those ideas will not be wasted.

Great Ideas and Radical or Disruptive Innovation

We're all looking for great ideas right?

There are a few Creativity and Innovation principles that are relevant before we discuss practical application:

a) Franklin (2003) states that successful innovations tend to be moderately new to the market, based on tried and tested technology, save money, meet customers' needs and support existing practices. By contrast, the products that fail tend to be based on cutting-edge or untested technology, follow a "me-too" approach, or are created with no clearly defined solution in mind.

b) There is a perception that radical innovations break from the past and are resultant from disruptive leaps. While some radical innovations follow this pattern, the vast majority of radical innovations result from cumulative incremental changes. That is, continuous tinkering, toying, experimentation and improvement results in greater "originality" vastly more often than "waiting for the big idea." The Internet is a good example: though often perceived as a radical leap, it is actually the result of many years of incremental improvements traceable back to the solid-state transistor and beyond.

c) Ideas can be measured in many ways, but one of the most useful measures is to benchmark for feasibility along the S-curve. That is, what are the practical impediments? For example, a time machine is less likely to reach commercialisation as a whole host of technological impediments stand in the way, whereas an idea for a new flavour for soda does not have that degree of obstacle.

Taking the above into account, we will discuss some ideas that have had significant commercial success by applying (inadvertently) the above principles:

a) EasyJet or South West airlines. The no frills airline model has found success ? and can be defined as a radical shift ? by simply operating at vastly lower prices ? prices that previously would have been considered to be "outside the box." This business model obeys Franklins rule, is an incremental change and has low impediments.

b) GlassedDirect.co.uk ? a recent success story that follows the above principles to provide, would you believe it, cut price specs. This is similar, by the way, to Dell, as the business model has been successful combining the Internet and Mail Order.

c) IPod ? follows Franklins rule, is an incremental change and didn't have too many practical impediments.

So what is the lesson? To generate ideas that have a chance of commercial success, think outside the box but stick to the three rules above.

These and other topics are covered in depth in the MBA dissertation on Managing Creativity & Innovation, which can be purchased (along with a Creativity and Innovation DIY Audit, Good Idea Generator Software and Power Point Presentation) from http://www.managing-creativity.com.

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

**********************************

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained.

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached on http://www.managing-creativity.com

---

Business Innovation ? Good Thinking NOT Leadership

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Discover the Secret to Success in Your Own Back Yard

Yesterday, I went above and beyond the call of duty... Read More

Think Outside The Cup and Saucer

There were four of us at dinner. Three ordered "regular"... Read More

Set Yourself Up for Success!

Set Yourself Up For Success!... Read More

Innovation Management ? Developing Ideas Within A Framework

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

The Subtle Secret Of Transformation

Great men and women succeed moment by moment, step by... Read More

Can A Simple Idea Change Your Life?

Ideas happen all the time. And when I say an... Read More

Its A Quantum Thing

We don't need to understand quantum physics entirely in order... Read More

Cumulative Gains in Innovation

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management ? Decision Makers

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Creativity, Innovation, and the Importance of Spontaneity

Spontaneity occurs when ideas or behaviours are expressed without evaluation.... Read More

Process Innovation

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Fire Evacuation Drill with a Difference

I had been given the task to organize a fire... Read More

12 Tips for Taking Smart, Calculated Risks

Most of us know we should take more risks. But... Read More

Become an Idea Collector

Have you ever gotten a really great idea ? one... Read More

Imagination

Imagination is the unreal, real state of mind, where all... Read More

Enhancing Vulnerability To Master Perfectionism

One of the ways a person must advance past perfectionism... Read More

Business Innovation ? Masks and Trance

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Innovation Management ? Capturing Ideas

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Great Ideas and Radical or Disruptive Innovation

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Managing Creativity and Innovation, Part 2 of 2

Leaders, consultants and managers must be competent in at least... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management - Good Ideas Part 1

The constant search for Good Ideas has resulted in many... Read More

Innovation and Competitive Advantage

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Business Innovation ? the Value of Decision Makers

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Life ? The Teacher

You've probably heard the phrase "repetition is the mother of... Read More

Business Innovation ? Good Thinking

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Creativity Management ? When To Add Talent

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Going Seamless: Dissolving the Brain Divide

Are you a right-brainer or a left-brainer?The greatest thinkers are... Read More

I Just Want to be Free - I Just Want to be Me!

It was a sunny Saturday in April 2003 in Myrtle... Read More

Innovation Management ? 5 Ideas An Hour

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Business Innovation ? the Value of Being Obvious

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Mother Of Invention Or Dummy? You Decide!

What would you say to yourself if when faced with... Read More

Business Innovation ? Eliciting Talent

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More