Leadership & Business

Are You An Idea Killer?

My new Inc. column, entitled Beware of the Idea Killers is out and focuses on how new ideas are what will help your business remain competitive. However, be sure you aren't killing them before you consider bringing them to fruition.

As Innovation remains a hot topic in 2008 and as executive teams continue struggling to build effective, sustainable, and measurable innovation programs. The battleground becomes how to structure innovation departments, drive company-wide innovation initiatives, and sustain efforts over the long haul.

To help executives with these challenges my company, Breakthrough Management Group (BMG) is hosting a 2-day Executive Seminar February 25-26 in Denver, CO, entitled Chief Innovation Officer: Lead Your Company’s Growth and Innovation Efforts.

This is the third CIO course for BMG.  We hosted two similar events in 2007, each time heralding attendees from industries as diverse as healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and financial services into one room to discuss and learn about what they all have in common – the need to better drive growth and innovation in order to compete in the future. Past attendees include, Levi Strauss, AVNET, Circuit City, NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation and GE Energy to name a few.

If you are interested in Innovation and what it really takes to lead your company to the forefront, I highly recommend this course. More information can be found here.

Innovation and Improvement: A Distinction Without a Difference

My newest column is up on Inc.com. It talks about how the processes of innovation and improvement are much more intertwined then we generally like to believe.

I would be interested in your comments and thoughts on the subject.

My company is now offering a new and "innovative training course", the first of its kind...Innovation Tools for Black Belts.  Held in Denver, CO Oct. 8-12, this course is specifically designed for Six Sigma and Lean practitioners, the class teaches a number of powerful Innovation tools in the context of BMG's Structured Innovation methodology, D4.

A five-day course, attendees have the opportunity to work on a real business issue with guidance from BMG’s innovation experts; teaching participants a solid, repeatable and predictable process for innovating new products, processes and business models. The first course will be taught by Dr. Phil Samuel, my co-faculty for BMG's upcoming Chief Innovation Officer seminar to be held in Denver, CO  Oct. 1-2, 2007.

I highly recommend it so check both courses out!

My New Article in Inc. - Either-Or Thinking Doesn't Work and Other Things..

My new article Either-Or Thinking Doesn't Work is now posted on Inc.com. It's about how Operational efficiency and creativity both play a part in business success. Let me know what you think.

I will also be facilitating a second Chief Innovation Officer Executive Education Course on October 1-2, 2007 in Denver, CO.  Chief Innovation Officer – Leading Your Company’s Growth and Innovation Initiatives. This program is specifically designed for business leaders who are leading the charge for growth and innovation inside their organizations. This is very dynamic and engaging course, I encourage you to check it out at CIO Course.