Posted on October 23rd, 2009 by Doug Hall
Yesterday I spent the day in meetings in Washington DC talking to various parts of the Federal government on how to accelerate innovation driven business development in the USA.
As I reflected on the meetings this morning I realized that what I “saw” was very different than my perceptions of Washington and not at all like the perceptions the media gives us.
Here’s a run down of my meetings yesterday…
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Posted on October 23rd, 2009 by Doug Hall
Reading the front page of today’s USA Today business section I found that the key stories tell everything you need to know about innovation.
1. Suzuki has a new Car that “could lift the automaker out of obscurity in the USA”
• Lesson: The power of innovation to transform sales success
2. Linux Raps harder at company doors
• Lesson: Open source is a competitor to all industries. It’s both a tool and a threat.
3. Wall Street feels wrath of man on the street
• Lesson: The interconnected world makes it easier for customers to find out what you have or don’t have. Therefore – be REAL – be GENUINE and don’t cheat!
4. Nokia says I Phone infringes on patents
• Lesson: Patents are no longer optional. Every business person needs to think about them – patent and IP strategy can no longer be “outsourced” to the legal department. I spent the summer learning about this “stuff” so to teach it in my classes at U Maine this fall. I was AMAZED at how ignorant I was.
5. McCormick & Schmicks – ad – meals from $19,95
In today’s economy – it’s about VALUE for the money – those that overcharge for “image and design” are dead. It’s time to do what Apple does – FUNCTION First – design second.
There are more – but I have to get off to a day filled with meetings here in Washington DC.
Cheers
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Posted on September 27th, 2009 by Doug Hall
Just watched Crystal Pepsi Ad – it’s been a long time since we worked on it.
It was supposed to be the “more refreshing cola – because of no sticky caramel aftertaste” somehow from concept to execution it didn’t quite make it.
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Posted on September 27th, 2009 by Doug Hall
I’m looking for “active learning” demonstrations, experiments, homework assignments that can help students learn a few fundamental principles for my undergraduate and graduate courses in Innovation Engineering at the University of Maine.
Active learning is where the students discover, see, feel and experience the principle – instead of having it simply told to them. As an example – to bring to life the power of diversity – we have the students take the worst idea they’ve created – then do a sort of speed dating – where another student gives them ideas – in a rush for 90 seconds. The process is done three times. The result is students see and feel for themselves the power of asking and listening to others.
The areas I need ideas in include:
Fail Fast Fail Cheap – or as Deming called it - Plan, Do, Study, Act VERSUS Plan, Plan, Plan, Plan. How can I help them see that if they “just do it” and fail – again and again – they’ll be more successful than if they try and get the answer before they start.
Simultaneous Engineering – The idea is the need to simultaneously optimize the Product, Marketing Promise and Profit Formula. VERSUS – the linear approach where I get one part then the next, then hit a wall and end up in a recycle loop.
Borrow don’t Build or Buy – the value of leveraging other people’s resources VERSUS doing it all yourself. The start up entrepreneur knows this. They do it because of necessity. However as the company becomes successful the “ego” grows such that they don’t do it anymore. In the corporate world this is called Open Innovation. This is a particular challenge in the USA – where the macho – do it yourself – go your own way is culturally rewarded.
Any thoughts – post at www.DougHall.com or at my Facebook Page.
Thanks
Doug
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Posted on September 26th, 2009 by Doug Hall
Remember when weekend play meant going outside, finding whoever was around, and playing whatever seemed fun at the time? When the big kids taught the little kids how to choke up on a bat, kick a football, or shoot a foul shot? When sports were fun for everybody, regardless of skill level? Well we do, and it’s important you do as well.
The world of kids sports has become over competitive, over parentized, and over organized. It’s time to get sports back into the family. That’s right…kids and parents playing together. A number of years ago my good friend Dave Raichle created a program in Cincinnati called Great Sports! The program is designed to bring moms, dads, sisters and brothers together to participate in a semi-organized day of sports fun. Read more »
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Posted on September 26th, 2009 by Doug Hall
I just got the e-mail pasted below from Barry Bruns who I have the utmost respect for. He is retired from the Military following a spectacular career of leading change. His comments were about my New Book – North Pole Tenderfoot – that tells the story of my “rookie” adventures and misadventures traveling to the North Pole in Admiral Peary’s footsteps.
I’ve bold faced the last two paragraphs – as they raise an interesting question – about the need for perspective – the need to be stretched beyond your edge – so that you can appreciate the here and now. When you do – you never look at fear the same way – and you never accept low standards or goals.
Doug,
It made me think of the first year at the Air Force Academy. Basic summer was 9 weeks of surpassing what we thought our limits were each and every day. The program was designed to challenge us past whatever we would face later in our careers and life, save being POW’s. That program came later . . .
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Posted on August 23rd, 2009 by Doug Hall
Just watched an amazing video by Priscilla Petty called The Deming of America It’s straight talk from the master on what needs to be done to get America cranking again.
One thing that caught my attention was Deming’s refusal to work with P&G when they asked him to help them. He only worked with companies where the top management was genuinely committed to systemic improvement of quality.
The P&G manager who lead quality at the time reported in the video that it took him 6 months to convince Dr. Deming that P&G was very committed.
The scene reminded me of the time I visited with the folks at Eagles Flight At the time I was thinking of entering the training business (our business was then as it still is today – primarily invention consulting focused not training focused) and had created a program based on one of my books. The program was fun and entertaining and most enjoyed it – however the owner when giving feedback said “it will be a great program when you get really committed to it.”
OUCH. His comments hurt big time. They hurt because he was right. I was not fully committed to the program – it was a nice to do.
Over time his comment has been incredibly valuable to me. When looking at a new business opportunity I’ve challenged myself to answer “Am I fully committed?” When I’m committed it means that I keep testing and learning, designing and redesigning like it’s my only business – like my life depends on the program’s success.
It’s taken quite a few years – but eventually I got fully committed to training with our Eureka! 101 program. And starting next week – I’m getting fully committed to the development of the Innovation Engineering courses at the University of Maine I’ll be on campus teaching two undergraduate and one graduate course.
Emerson said “nothing great ever happens without enthusiasm” it’s the same with innovations and new businesses. If you’re not fully committed, totally committed then don’t waste your time on it. The image that comes to mind is Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid — jumping off the cliff together in the movie while being chased by the marshals.
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Posted on August 23rd, 2009 by Doug Hall
It is absolutely crazy how many times we can be asked “why” by our kids. Just when we think we have exhausted all the possible whys another is surely to follow. Why is the sky blue? Why are peas green? Why are carrots good for your eyes? Why can’t I stay up? Why do I have to drink all my milk? Why, Why, Why?
There is only one thing that is more amazing than the number of whys we get asked. It is the fact that we always seem to have an answer. (Even if we have to make it up.) The only other option is to fall into the easy trap of proclaiming, “because”–and we’ve all done that. Saying “because” certainly does not deal with the inquiry; but, it does send a clear message to the kids that we have heard enough “whys” for a few minutes. The question is: Is that the message we really want to send? Read more »
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Posted on July 18th, 2009 by Doug Hall
Customers have little time to compare, contrast, and consider your product or service offerings. The never-ending flood of voice mail, email, and junk mail has caused customers to develop a protective barrier against new marketing messages.
To break through the barrier, you need to be OVERT about the customer benefit you offer. The classic mistake that managers make is to communicate the FEATURES of their offering instead of the BENEFITS.
They make the ASSUMPTION that customers will be able to translate your feature to their benefit.
Features are the facts, the components, the technologies of your offering. Benefits are what the features will do for the customer. Benefits are what the customer will receive, experience, and enjoy as a result of the features.
When you communicate an Overt Benefit instead of features, you increase your odds of success by 290 percent.
Research shows that the more work required of your customers to translate your “features” into “benefits,” the less likely they are to notice, consider, and purchase what you have to offer.
Benefits answer the customer question ”Why should I care?”
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Posted on July 18th, 2009 by Doug Hall
You can’t watch an hour of television without seeing an ad for a new automobile or a commercial about drug abuse in America. Rock stars, television personalities, and politicians all have the same message…stop using drugs. Millions and millions of dollars have been spent on this campaign to have kids “just say no.” Ask yourself, has it worked? Just say no!
Young children are being inundated with commercials and inspirational speakers talking about the downfall of drug abuse. Kids are not stupid. They know they shouldn’t use drugs. They only need to hear that message a couple of times.
The reason drug use is still so high is that the powers that be are missing the point. Using drugs is not the problem; it is only the symptom. The real problem is that kids are bored out of their minds, they see no hope, and–most important–they feel like they just don’t belong. Kids are still turning to drugs because they believe there is nothing else.
Well, here’s a news bulletin: we dads are the “something else” they need! It is our responsibility to get our kids excited about things. It is our job to help them realize they have endless potential and the future is theirs. And, it is our mission to make darn sure they feel valued in their own family. It’s called establishing a sense of belonging. Read more »
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