The Innovation Killer: How What We Know Limits What We Can Imagine -- and What Smart Companies Are Doing About It

The Innovation Killer: How What We Know Limits What We Can Imagine -- and What Smart Companies Are Doing About It
by Cynthia Barton Rabe

The Innovation Killer: How What We Know Limits What We Can Imagine -- and What Smart Companies Are Doing About It
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Book Summary Information

Author: Cynthia Barton Rabe
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2006-07-17
ISBN: 0814408834
Number of pages: 240
Publisher: AMACOM

Book Reviews of The Innovation Killer: How What We Know Limits What We Can Imagine -- and What Smart Companies Are Doing About It

Book Review: Zero-Gravity Thinking
Summary: 3 Stars

I bought for the idea of zero-gravity thinking. I had seen an article about it, and found it an interesting approach.
Here's the idea: creative companies need to bring in someone who is not a stake-holder to bring richness and creativity to their innovation process.
I kept thinking there was more to it than that. But, really, that's pretty much it.
Seems like pimping for consultants, and a bit self-serving.
Instead, I like the zen idea of "beginner mind" and find the seeking and the application of the discipline of unlearning assumptions and sacred cows a truly meaningful way to develop new and fresh ideas.
This is sort of like that, except she postulates that the person should be from another discipline (or, better, from outside the company.)
It's okay, but not a BIG idea, to me.

Summary of The Innovation Killer: How What We Know Limits What We Can Imagine -- and What Smart Companies Are Doing About It

For true innovation, you may need to think outside the box-and outside the company.

Innovation is vital to the success of an organization. But often, "GroupThink" and "ExpertThink" stifle new ideas. This book presents the idea of using outsiders-people who are not a permanent part of a particular group or constrained by its preconceptions-to stimulate innovation. They may be employees from other parts of the company, consultants, or even people borrowed through "swaps" with other, noncompeting companies. These outsiders share three characteristics:

* related expertise: knowledge without the burden of "the way we've always done it" * renaissance tendencies: varied interests and experiences, with the ability to put ideas together in new and useful combinations * psychological distance: they are not tied to the hierarchy of the group, making it easier to propose unpopular ideas

Outsiders can help defeat the kind of thinking that can overcome teams and kill true innovation. The author reveals how to find and work with the right people and shows, through fascinating real-world examples, the huge difference they can make.

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