Art of Innovation 9. Barrier Jumping

Chapter Takeaways

• There are many hurdles to innovation, including cultural and nostalgic. However, when realizing them early and addressing them directly, they can often be overcome.
  

Watching the Border
Products and features that are well-liked in the US, may be scorned abroad for cultural reasons.

Stubbornly Unmetric
The US refuses to adopt the metric system due to a simple lack of innovation.

Sidesteps

When the public is slow to accept a new technology, you need to reexamine your assumptions.

Deal Killers
Recognize what may kill your product and address it early - if something is safe, make it look safe; if your user-base it's handy, ensure simple installation.

Patent Pending
When you're competing against an existing, established product, sometimes the best thing to do is start from scratch.

Opening the Floodgates
A list of barriers and their corresponding bridges.

• Hierarchy-Based --> Merit-Based
• Bureaucracy --> Autonomy
• Anonymous --> Familiar
• Clean --> Messy
• Experts --> Tinkerers

Skill Sets
All sorts of skills are much more within your reach than you think.
*I need to take this one to heart.*

Handshakes
Provide affordances to "shake hands" with your users, make themselves approachables and guide them on what to do.
Look for ways that people are using a products natural affordances for new and novel uses.

Rituals Reward
Old habits provide strong nostalgia.
People don't want to break old traditions.
This can be a tough barrier to new ideas.
Good rituals don't die, they just get reinvented.
Provide incentives for people to switch.

Evangelism Works
Some new products need a lot of marketing muscle to succeed.

Running with Al Gore
Effort and clever persistence can be key to landing new projects.

Art of Innovation 8. Expect the Unexpected

Chapter Takeaways:

• Take advantage of unexpected situations whenever possible.
• Invite a variety of viewpoints.

Balancing Unpredictability
Many past innovations have come out of accidents.

Unexpected Ups and Downs
Even the best companies make mistakes and wrong predictions (e.g. the glorious flameout of Momenta).

Good Timing Doesn't Hurt
Great innovation can be a result of accidental good timing. *Sometimes it's about being at the right place at the right time.*

Nimble Response
If you see your customers using your product in unexpected ways, don't resists, support them.

Looking Cross-Eyed
Look for how products made for one use, can be used for another.

Seven Planting Tips

1. Subscribe and Surf: "idea wading".
2. Play director: become expert at watching people perform even the smallest tasks.
3. Hold an Open House: learn from others.
4. Inspire Advocates: include different viewpoints.
5. Hire Outsiders: fresh blood invigorates a company and introduces new ideas.
6. Change Hats: put yourself in your users shoes.
7. Cross-Train: user experiences from other places (*sounds similar to #5*)
   

Art of Innovation 7. Build Your Greenhouse

Chapter Takeaways:

• The right work space creates happy employees and encourages innovation.
  
• Allow evolution of personalization and continuous play.
• Open the space up for collaboration, but allow for private thinking.
  

Building Neighborhoods
Create small offices to allow teams to put their own stamp into the space. But keep them in the same neighborhood.

Think Project, Think Personal
Keep spaces evolving, elastic and personal.

Inspiration from Adversity
Encourage innovation to solve space problems.

Prototype Your Space
Integrating prototypes into the work environment.

Create a Team Icon
... that reflects your work or project.

Watch Your Body Language
Consider the message that your office space is sending to current and potential employees.

Simple Team Space
Find a balance between crowding and sparsity. Keep it cozy and bustling while allowing space for privacy and thought.

Hierarchy is the Enemy of Cool Space
'Nuff said.

Give Your Workers a View
User the window spaces for collaboration, rather than offices. Create beauty and openness all around.

Tell Stories
Show off your latest accomplishments to visitors and employees through visible iconic narrative, and tours.

Make Your Junk Sing
Turning office junk into accessible idea inspiration.