Chameleonomics is all about being able to change and adapt just like a Chameleon. Its not about shiny gadgets but the attitudes and behaviours required in order to achieve this. If you are serious about Innovation then this is a concept that you should not ignore.

The little Chameleon on the featured image for this post is named Colin and he is a metaphor that I use when explaining some of these concepts to people. It also helps to entertain people in workshops and keynotes. To book me please get in touch. The easiest way to do this is here.

Yes this is a little nebulous for some, but I have also created the five pillars of Chameleonomics to underpin the idea. This quiz is a little bit of fun but also a way of businesses finding out about how adaptable they really are. Why not take the test and get in touch to find out more about your results? Find out if you need to be more Colin.

Chameleonomics: the quest to be more Colin

Be more Colin, what on earth is that about? First let me explain that Colin is an Indian Chameleon and a metaphor. Now read on.

If you are impatient and want to Be More Colin now then click on this link.

In the fast-paced, ever-evolving business landscape, many organisations find themselves trapped in a comfort zone. The allure of the familiar – the tried and tested processes, the predictable outcomes – can be a powerful one. But as the old adage goes, complacency is the enemy of progress. In today’s world, playing it safe can be the riskiest strategy of all.

Business lifecycles are shrinking at an alarming rate. What once took years can now be accomplished in months, or even weeks. This accelerated pace of change puts immense pressure on organisations to adapt or perish. Traditional approaches to business operations, which often rely on rigid structures and slow decision-making, are ill-equipped to handle such rapid shifts. The operations team, once the backbone of stability, can find itself overwhelmed, while innovation and transformation teams may be too slow to respond to emerging challenges.

So, what’s the antidote to this predicament? I propose a concept I call Chameleonomics. Inspired by the remarkable ability of chameleons to seamlessly blend into their surroundings, Chameleonomics is a mindset, a set of behaviours, and a collection of practices that enable a business to adapt effortlessly to change.

Imagine a chameleon creating a complex change program every time it moved from one tree to another! It’s absurd, of course. Yet, many businesses operate in a similar fashion, scrambling to react to change rather than anticipating and adapting to it.

The key to Chameleonomics lies in technology. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are revolutionising the way businesses operate. AI can analyse vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and predict potential challenges with unprecedented accuracy. It can automate routine tasks, freeing up human talent to focus on strategic thinking and innovation. Moreover, AI can generate creative solutions to complex problems, helping businesses stay ahead of the curve.

Consider this scenario: A sudden spike in raw material prices threatens to disrupt your supply chain. Before you even reach the office, your AI-powered systems have already calculated the impact on your product mix, adjusted your procurement strategy, and explored alternative product roadmaps. Potential staffing implications and revised business strategies are also presented for your consideration. By the time you arrive at work, you have the time to focus on the bigger picture – perhaps exploring new market opportunities or developing innovative product enhancements.

Chameleonomics is not just about technology, however. It requires a cultural shift within the organisation. Employees at all levels must embrace a growth mindset, be open to experimentation, and be willing to challenge the status quo. A culture of continuous learning and improvement is essential in escaping the comfort zone, or zone of death as I often call it.

Implementing a Chameleonic approach is not without its challenges. It requires significant investment in technology, data infrastructure, and employee training. However, the potential rewards are immense. By becoming more agile and adaptable, businesses can reduce risks, improve efficiency, and seize new opportunities.

In conclusion, the business world is undergoing a profound transformation. To thrive in this dynamic environment, organisations must adopt a Chameleonic approach. By harnessing the power of AI and cultivating a culture of adaptability, businesses can position themselves for long-term success. The future belongs to those who can change shape as quickly (or quicker) as the world around them.

In the grand scheme of business evolution, Chameleonomics represents a quantum leap. It’s not merely about surviving disruption but thriving amidst it. By cultivating a culture of adaptability and equipping employees with the tools and mindset to change course rapidly, organisations can unlock unprecedented levels of innovation and efficiency.

While the journey to becoming a Chameleon organisation is undeniably challenging, the potential rewards are immense. Those who master this transformative approach will not only weather storms but also harness them as opportunities for growth. In a world where change is the only constant, ditch that comfort zone, Chameleonomics is the key to sustainable success.

So when things are not quite going to plan you must remember to ‘Be More Colin’.

July 22, 2024 ·

Podcast: Are You Asking The Right Questions?

5 Min, 51 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

We really do need to make sure that the questions we ask before deciding on a course of action scope out our probably properly. Out of all the people in the world, the people we tend to trust the most are probably doctors. We believe them to be experts, because if we didn’t we would probably be terrified every time we became ill. Given this faith in doctors, how often do you suppose they actually get it right? Or more terrifyingly, how often do they get it wrong? It is not very likely that your doctor will tell you are okay when you are critically ill but what about the cases where they diagnose a common cold but your elevated temperature is related to something much more serious? Are they solving the right problem? Studies in the US indicate a 40% misdiagnosis rate with a reasonable percentage (around 10%) resulting in avoidable death. These statistics are easily verified following autopsy. In medicine, as with many other disciplines we need to diagnose the right condition in order to treat it. In the world of creative problem solving we must do two things. Firstly correctly identify that the problem really is causing the symptoms (business issues) that have been observed and secondly when we apply a solution, it must be tailored to the actual problem. So what is the issue here, how does this come about? Overconfidence and over-familiarity are two good reasons. If experts become complacent or see the same problems day in, and day out, they might be tempted to assume that the problem is the same.

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July 16, 2024 ·

Podcast: The Opinioneers Ep 1

26 Min, 48 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

This is the first episode of The Opinioneers, an innovation podcast where we mull over all aspects of innovation (and some other things too). In this episode, we begin with culture and then progress to measurement and more.

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Building Up Ideas: The Power of Saying ‘Yes, and…’

Imagine being in a brainstorming session where every idea, no matter how odd or impractical, is welcomed with open arms. Instead of shooting down ideas with a ‘Yes, but…,’ picture yourself saying ‘Yes, and…’ to build upon them. This simple shift in mindset can turn even the most outlandish thoughts into valuable stepping stones for innovation.

When someone proposes a new idea, it’s easy to spot the flaws. The newer the idea, the more problems it might have. Yet, if we focus too much on these flaws, we risk discarding potentially great ideas. Even the craziest ideas can have a tiny nugget of potential or serve as what Edward de Bono called an ‘intermediate impossible’—a seemingly impractical idea that can lead to a brilliant one.

The Power of Building Techniques

Using building techniques, or ‘hitchhiking’ on ideas, can be incredibly powerful and beneficial. Here’s why they’re worth incorporating into your thought process:

1. Turning Any Input into Gold: Whether it’s a random news story, a misunderstanding by someone who isn’t an expert, a boring office conversation, or an accidental meeting, you can extract useful ideas from almost anything.
2. Staying Engaged: These techniques help you stay attentive and interested for longer periods.
3. Encouraging Others: When people see their ideas being valued and built upon, they feel encouraged. This boosts morale and fosters a positive environment for creativity.
4. Learning and Appreciation: This approach makes people want to engage in the process again. They learn a lot from it and appreciate you and your organization more.

Practical Techniques for Building on Ideas

Ready to start building on ideas? Here are some practical techniques to help you get started:

1. Focus on the Positive: Highlight the useful parts of an idea. For example, say, ‘Yes, that idea would allow us to…’ This keeps the momentum positive and constructive.
2. Tackle Problems Creatively: If an idea has issues, phrase them in a way that invites solutions. For instance, ‘That idea raises an interesting problem. I wonder how we could…’
3. Combine Ideas: Merge the idea with other existing ideas to see what new possibilities arise.
4. Transform the Idea: Change the idea in various ways—make it bigger, smaller, reverse it, or switch the roles involved.
5. Use as an Exemplar: Think about different categories the idea could belong to and what other ideas these categories might suggest.
6. Abstract or Concrete: Describe the idea in more abstract terms or make it more concrete. Ask questions like, ‘What is this idea an example of?’ or ‘What examples are there of this idea?’
7. Different Mediums: Represent the idea in a different medium. Draw it, role-play it, or even sculpt it. Sometimes a different perspective can spark new insights.
8. Reframe the Idea: Look at the idea from someone else’s viewpoint, from a different hierarchical level, in various contexts, or over different time-scales. This can reveal new angles and opportunities.
9. Key Terms and Thesaurus: Abstract the idea to a few key terms and look up their equivalents in a thesaurus. This method can uncover related concepts and ideas that might not have been immediately obvious.
10. Analogies: Find analogies to the idea and use them as stimuli for new thoughts. Analogies can often provide a fresh perspective and lead to innovative solutions.
11. Train of Thought: Use the idea as a starting point for a train of thought. As you become more practiced in building techniques, this process will become more automatic and natural.

Building a Culture of Creativity

Creating a culture that embraces these building techniques can have far-reaching benefits. When team members feel their contributions are valued, they become more invested in their work. This can lead to higher job satisfaction, increased loyalty, and a more collaborative team dynamic. By encouraging a ‘Yes, and…’ mentality, you cultivate an environment where creativity thrives and everyone feels empowered to share their ideas.

Additionally, fostering this kind of open-mindedness can lead to more innovative solutions to problems. When people aren’t afraid to think outside the box and take risks, they are more likely to come up with groundbreaking ideas. This not only benefits the organization but also contributes to personal growth and professional development.

Overcoming Challenges in Building Techniques

While the benefits are clear, implementing these techniques can sometimes be challenging. It requires a conscious effort to shift from a critical mindset to a more constructive one. Here are a few tips to overcome these challenges:

1. Practice Regularly: Make building techniques a regular part of your meetings and brainstorming sessions. The more you practice, the more natural it will become.
2. Encourage Participation: Create a safe space where everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas. Reinforce the value of every contribution, no matter how small.
3. Lead by Example: As a leader, demonstrate the ‘Yes, and…’ approach in your interactions. Your team will follow suit if they see you modeling this behavior.
4. Provide Training: Consider offering workshops or training sessions on creative thinking and building techniques. This can equip your team with the skills they need to contribute effectively.

By embracing and practicing these techniques, you can transform your team’s approach to problem-solving and idea generation. If you’re eager to dive deeper into creative techniques, the ‘YES you can’ ebook series offers 48 techniques to explore and practice. Embrace the power of building on ideas, and watch your creativity soar!

If you would like to learn more about using creative techniques then you might be interested in the ‘YES you can’ ebook series which has 48 techniques for you to try.

In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, the ability to innovate is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. Top companies understand this and have shifted their perspective on innovation. They see it not as a lucky dip, but as a cultivated skill – an “innovation muscle” that requires consistent effort and a strategic approach.

But how do you translate this metaphor into a practical roadmap for your organisation? Here, we delve deeper into the analogy and explore actionable steps to create a winning innovation fitness plan.

Imagine a world where your organisation struggles to adapt to changing customer demands, gets blindsided by disruptive technologies, and watches competitors steal market share with groundbreaking ideas. This is the unfortunate reality for companies that lack a strong innovation muscle.

On the other hand, organisations that prioritise innovation reap significant benefits. They are:

Future-proofed: They can anticipate and adapt to changing market trends, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Problem-solvers: They can tackle complex challenges more effectively with creative solutions.

Growth drivers: Innovation unlocks new opportunities and revenue streams, fueling expansion and market leadership.

Just like building physical fitness, building your innovation muscle requires a multifaceted approach. Here’s a breakdown of four crucial areas to focus on:

The first step is to identify your specific innovation goals. Are you aiming for:

Strength Training: To tackle major industry disruptions or solve complex problems that require significant resources? This might involve developing revolutionary new technologies or completely reimagining your business model.

Endurance Running: To consistently generate a stream of smaller, incremental improvements that keep you ahead of the curve? This could involve streamlining internal processes, optimizing product features, or developing new service offerings.

Flexibility: To adapt quickly to changing market conditions? This requires a culture that embraces new ideas and fosters agility, allowing you to pivot strategies and implement solutions rapidly.

Understanding your overarching goals will inform the type of innovation exercises and approaches you prioritise, resulting in the correct type of innovation muscle..

Develop a Diverse Training Regimen

Just like a well-rounded workout plan incorporates different exercises, your innovation strategy should encompass various techniques to generate a steady flow of ideas and validate their potential:

Idea Generation: Brainstorming sessions, design thinking workshops, and even elements of gamification can spark creativity and encourage participation from a wider range of employees.

Experimentation: Embrace a “test and learn” mentality. Set up small-scale experiments, prototypes, or pilot programs to validate your ideas in a low-risk environment. This allows you to gather quick feedback and iterate based on results, saving time and resources.

Benchmarking: Look at how industry leaders and even companies outside your domain are innovating. Analyze their successful strategies and adapt them to your specific context. Don’t be afraid to borrow good ideas and put your own unique spin on them.

Creating the Perfect Training Environment

A supportive environment is crucial for fostering innovation. Here are some key elements to consider:

Empowerment: Encourage a culture where employees feel empowered to take calculated risks, experiment with new ideas, and learn from failures. Celebrate initiative and recognize the value of “failing forward” – learning from mistakes and using them as springboards for improvement.

Cross-functional Collaboration: Break down silos and encourage collaboration between teams with diverse perspectives. Innovation thrives on the exchange of ideas and the ability to see problems from different angles. Create cross-functional innovation teams or implement knowledge-sharing initiatives to break down barriers and foster a collaborative spirit.

Leadership Buy-in: Secure strong support from senior management. Leaders who champion innovation efforts, allocate resources strategically, and remove roadblocks to progress will send a powerful message of commitment throughout the organisation.

Track Your Progress and Adapt

Innovation is an ongoing journey, not a one-time event. Therefore, it’s vital to regularly monitor progress and adapt your approach:

Metrics: Develop clear metrics to measure the success of your innovation efforts. These could include the number of ideas generated, the rate of successful implementations, the impact on key business goals (e.g., increased revenue, customer satisfaction), or the cost savings achieved.

Regular Reviews: Schedule regular reviews to assess the effectiveness of your innovation fitness plan. Discuss successes, identify areas for improvement, and be prepared to adapt your approach based on what’s working and what’s not. Gather feedback from employees involved in innovation initiatives and use it to refine your strategy for the future.

Don’t forget though, once your innovation muscle has been created it needs to be maintained and kept injury free.

If you need a little help building your innovation muscle then please get in touch …

So, you’re fired up about innovation, but who should be on your team to make those brilliant ideas a reality? Forget about fancy titles and hierarchical structures – we’re on the hunt for people with the specific skills that will make your innovation initiative flourish.

Here’s a breakdown of the essential roles you’ll want to fill on your team. Remember, especially in smaller organisations, some folks might be able to comfortably wear multiple hats and fulfill more than one function.

The Connectors: These are your organisation’s social butterflies. They have a knack for connecting different departments, even entire organisations and industries, that wouldn’t normally cross paths. While they might not be the deepest experts in every field, they possess a broad knowledge base and understand how to bring the right people together to tackle a challenge.

The Collectors: Think of them as the detectives of the idea world. Collectors excel at gathering up all the fantastic ideas floating around and meticulously organising them so everyone on the team can easily access and utilise this valuable knowledge base. They understand the power of information and ensure it’s readily available to fuel the innovation process.

The Framers: These are the rule-makers, but in the best possible way! The Framers work hand-in-hand with the leadership team to establish clear and consistent frameworks for evaluating ideas. Their job is to build a fair and transparent playing field where all your innovative concepts can compete on a level ground.

The Judges: Imagine a panel of experts from various departments like sales, marketing, and R&D. These are your Judges, and they wield the power (guided by the Framers’ established criteria) to assess the merits of your ideas. They act as the final gatekeepers, ensuring only the strongest concepts move forward.

The Prototypers: Okay, your idea has passed the judging phase and is ready to take flight! But how do you translate that abstract concept into a tangible reality? Enter the Prototyper, the master of rapid prototyping. They’re skilled at creating quick and functional models to test the viability and functionality of your ideas before you invest significant resources. All of the people identified here fulfill a need; however, the Prototyper is vital.

The Measurers: They say “you get what you measure,” and that’s especially true when it comes to innovation. The Measurer is responsible for defining what success looks like for your initiative and then tracks your progress towards achieving those goals. This might involve measuring quantitative aspects like the time it takes to bring an idea from conception to launch, or qualitative elements like the valuable lessons learned from even unsuccessful attempts.

The Storytellers: People are wired to respond to stories. The Storyteller on your team is the keeper of the narrative, collecting and sharing the tales of your innovation journey. A well-crafted story can be a powerful tool for inspiring and motivating the entire organization, reminding everyone of the purpose and potential rewards of your innovation efforts.

The Lookouts (aka The Scouts): Innovation thrives on staying ahead of the curve. This is where The Lookout, also known as The Scout, comes in. Their job is to constantly scan the horizon for emerging trends, disruptive technologies, and what your competitors are up to. By anticipating what’s coming down the pipeline, they help your team adapt and innovate even faster. Scouts scan the future to understand how the industry is likely to change. What are the scenarios we might face? What technologies are in development that may affect our business? What might a competitor do that would upset our position in the market? What is hot in other industries that we might adapt?

April 4, 2024 ·

Podcast: Using negativity

3 Min, 54 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

Using negativity, especially within the workplace, is something you should try to do. We all have a few people around us, in our businesses or our circles of friends who are a little bit negative, don't we? I like to call them the Mood Hoovers. Some of them are so bad that they do actually suck the goodness out of you. But they can actually help you without realising it. Reverse or negative brainstorming is absolutely ideal for this. It can be slotted into short periods of time, such as coffee breaks, train journeys, or whilst you're waiting for somebody. And if you're bored, you can always let your mind wander a little and venture off into springboards to. Anyway, if you want to use this technique, then simply select an issue or a topic about which you need to generate some ideas. The fact that some of you will be more familiar with the topic than others in the in a group, doesn't really matter at all for this exercise. Everybody will get benefit from trying out this technique and swapping notes afterwards. The topic you select should be positive and present a possibility.

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Here are a few thoughts on the topic which may help you directly or inspire further thinking.

Diversity is Key

Innovation ecosystems thrive on diversity. A mix of people, ideas, and resources from various backgrounds and industries can spark creative solutions. It’s like a salad bar for innovation, with different ingredients coming together to make something awesome.

Collaboration is the Name of the Game

In these ecosystems, collaboration is more important than competition. Instead of everyone fighting for a piece of the pie, they work together to make the pie bigger. Think of it as a potluck dinner where everyone brings something unique to the table.

Start Small, Dream Big

Many successful innovation ecosystems started small and grew over time. Silicon Valley, for example, began as a cluster of tech companies in a garage. So, even if your innovation ecosystem is just a few passionate folks in a co-working space, don’t be discouraged. Big things can grow from small beginnings!

Global Innovation Ecosystems

I mention these briefly because they come up in popular discussion but there is only one true global Ecosystem that exists and that is our planet which is being slowly destroyed by us. In its former condition, it was a good example but our management of it shows why trying to create another such system to attack global issues is perhaps a pipedream.

My own opinion is that we should mimic nature and create a multitude of much smaller systems that can coexist and in time perhaps merge. Think of the rain forests and the fungi and plants that exist on the forest floor meeting another complementary ecosystem at the edge of the forest. The only danger is that we could accidentally create a poison or the equivalent of an antibiotic that destroys the organic system that we are creating.

If you need a little help with your Innovation Ecosystems then please get in touch …

Is AI just a load of hogwash? Is Threads just another pointless distraction? Is Leadership just a load of hocus pocus? Are you suffering from Shiny New Toy Syndrome?

Well, brace yourselves folks, ’cause I’m about to ruffle some feathers with my opening statement. But honestly, I couldn’t care less about that. The purpose of this post is to get those gears in your head turning. And hey, before you slap me with the “anti-everything” label, take a gander at what I actually said. I’m just asking questions here, not making proclamations.

So what’s the big deal then? Let’s talk AI for a moment. It burst onto the scene, its reputation skyrocketing faster than a rocket-powered cheetah. It can speed up our tasks (no kidding), whip up some fancy copy (you bet), and even create art while casually chatting up our customers.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I have no beef with that. Except for one tiny little thing—it sucks us all into its vortex. We start feeling like total losers if we haven’t given the latest version of ChatGPT a whirl or explored the gazillion cheat sheets and prompt generators out there.

So here’s the deal, my friends: the next time a shiny new thingamajig pops up, ask yourselves these burning questions:

1. What’s the point of it all?
2. How the heck is it gonna help me or my business?
3. And most importantly, how’s it gonna help my customers or their business?

If it can’t offer any help, well, you have two choices—either ignore it like yesterday’s stale croissant or chuck it onto that ever-growing list of intriguing stuff you’ll eventually get around to (yes, just like those management books you bought but haven’t cracked open yet).

Keep on experimenting and keep on learning, my friends! That’s the name of the game.

If you are having trouble with your shiny new toys then I can help …

In this fast-paced world, being creative and solving problems is a must-have skill set. But hold on to your hats because we’re about to introduce you to a game-changer: artificial intelligence (AI). Here is a brief introduction to show how you can leverage AI to kickstart Innovation. AI isn’t just for sci-fi movies anymore. It’s here to revolutionise the way we tackle problems creatively. Here I’ll dive into how AI can level up your creative problem-solving game and help you take Innovation to a whole new level.

AI is a problem-solving ninja! With cool technologies like machine learning and deep learning, it can crunch massive amounts of data, spot patterns, and make smart predictions. That means it can offer you insights and fresh perspectives to supercharge your problem-solving. AI doesn’t just make your life easier by automating dull tasks. It frees up your brain to focus on the fun stuff – brainstorming, thinking outside the box, and discovering mind-blowing solutions that will make your competitors’ jaws drop.

AI can generate oodles of ideas based on heaps of data and existing trends. It’s like brainstorming with a genie who can grant you unlimited creative wishes.

By diving into complex datasets, AI can provide you with eye-opening insights. You can then make informed decisions, catch the latest trends, and create solutions that your audience will go wild for. Let’s talk about efficiency too. AI algorithms can analyse factors like time, budget, and talent availability, helping you optimise your resources like a pro. So, you can put your energy and budget where it matters most, guaranteeing maximum impact.

AI isn’t just for working solo, it’s a master at team-building and collaboration! By bridging different fields, AI encourages collaboration, smashing those creative silos, and opening up new realms of possibility. AI-powered virtual assistants and collaboration tools are like having the ultimate creative best friends. They make communication easy, fuel knowledge-sharing, and allow you to collaborate seamlessly, even from the comfort of your armchair.

Most of us have not even begun to harness the power of AI. Plenty of tools exist for editing text, images, and music and are being used in a limited way. Yes, you can ask ChatGPT to write your assignment but it can do so much more. Ask it to act like a marketeer, or write in a humourous style. Ask it for headings for your book to flesh out later or for prompts for your creative springboard session. Why not use it to actually create new tools for use in your creativity and innovation activities?

As we dance into this AI-driven creative future, we need to keep things grounded. Transparency is key! Let’s make sure AI algorithms and decision-making processes are transparent, accountable, and fair. No shady business allowed! While AI brings glamour, let’s not forget our secret weapon, human ingenuity. Our creativity, intuition, and emotional intelligence are priceless assets. They provide the personal touch, empathy, and ethical considerations that make our solutions amazing.

Remember, it’s all about the perfect fusion of AI’s mind-bending powers with a uniquely human touch.

To discuss how AI and other tools can be useful in your Innovation activities …

Hey there! Amidst all the chaos of the past couple of years (including the COVID-19 pandemic), one thing has become clear: the key is innovation in a time of crisis.

The pandemic forced us to rethink the way we work, the way we interact with each other, and the way we do business. Companies that were able to adapt quickly and embrace new technologies and business models fared better than those that were slower to pivot.

One lesson we can learn from the pandemic is the importance of agility. Companies that were able to pivot quickly to remote work, virtual events, and online sales were able to maintain their operations and even thrive during the pandemic. Those that were too slow to adapt or too resistant to change have struggled.

It is clear that it is not necessarily the scope of what hits us, but the speed. In fact, many of the changes that we have difficulty handling are exponential in nature.

Another lesson is the importance of collaboration. The pandemic brought people together from all over the world to work on finding solutions to the crisis. From scientists collaborating on vaccines to companies teaming up to produce and distribute personal protective equipment, we’ve seen the power of collaboration in action.

The pandemic also highlighted the importance of innovation in healthcare. The development of vaccines in record time is a testament to the power of innovation and the importance of investing in research and development.

But innovation isn’t just about developing new products or services. It’s also about finding new ways of doing things. The pandemic forced us to think (outside the box, a horrible term) and come up with new solutions to old problems. From drive-through testing sites to virtual doctor’s appointments, we’ve seen how innovation can help us adapt to changing circumstances.

So what can we learn from all this? First and foremost, we need to be agile and adaptable. We need to be willing to pivot quickly and embrace new technologies and business models. We also need to collaborate with others and find new ways of working together. And finally, we need to invest in innovation and research, not just in healthcare but in all areas of our lives.

The pandemic has been a challenging time for all of us, but it has also been a time of innovation and creativity. Let’s take the lessons we’ve learned and use them to create a better future for ourselves and for future generations.

Stay safe and stay innovative!

Let’s see how we can work together to get ready for those unexpected events …

I talk a lot about using people from different disciplines to get things done. Some get it, many don’t and think they know best.

I am talking here about Diversity of Experience NOT what some people call neuro diversity or cognitive diversity. I am simply referring to the knowledge and background of contributors, not how they think although this could be part of your recruitment process.

Read the following quote and then read on to see what this relates to.

“.. we were relying on the likes of a bomb disposal expert, an Indian rowing star, an Italian consultant, a submarine delivery agent, a former ambassador, a football pundit and a venture capitalist …”

This is a quote from The Long Shot, a book written by Kate Bingham and Tim Hames describing how the Vaccine Taskforce came into being and the struggles they had along the way. Without this mix of people, many of us would be dead right now.

Although delivering in a short space of time and working with both industry partners and civil servants could not be described as organic innovation, readers might find some useful tips regarding smooth working and diversity in this blog article of mine.

Let’s talk to see how we can work together to create your ideal team or organisation …

A huge thank you to Dr Mobius.

For those not familiar with this strip it is technically a 1 dimensional surface (a mathematical construct) not a 2 D object. To make your own simply take a strip of paper, put a half twist into it, and then tape or glue the ends together.

Trace around one edge and you will find your finger moves from inside to outside. The same thing happens when you follow a surface. This is why many conveyor belts have a half twist in them, it ensures that wear is even on both sides.

There are many cool things about the Mobius strip but here is one that is really cool. Draw a line down the middle of the surface and then cut along it. You will find that you still have a strip but you have introduced an extra 2 half twists so there are now 3. The strip thus retains all of its original properties.

So what? The strip is a great metaphor for the dissemination of knowledge. The more you spread it around you find that it does not lose its value and you, the source, might even increase yours.

Keep it to yourself and the knowledge has no value although you might increase your ego.

Think about it, sharing is good, and don’t forget to look up all the cool things you can do with a Mobius strip.

Let’s make your knowledge work for you …

Recently I attempted to answer the question ‘how much?’ and now ‘how long?’. These are probably the two most frequent questions that I am asked, regarding innovation. If you have not already seen my article about the cost of innovation you may find it useful.

The thing is, the answer is the one that you don’t want to hear. ‘It depends’ or ‘forever’ are the two most likely answers I can give you. Why?

Most businesses try to get to grips with Innovation as a result of wanting to develop new products or services, usually quickly. You might be able to do with with your current R&D setup but let us imagine that you cannot, you want something different, something that will leave the competition for dead.

You are going to need to conjure up a selection of employees, the right mix is crucial here. They will need resources such as time and space and permission from someone very senior to be playful (sorry prototype). They will of course need some specific targets or else they really will just be playing.

So if you meet these still woolly requirements, how long? To get some successful reinvention going (others might call this incremental innovation) you could get something ready in around 6 to 8 months. If you want to be a little more radical then maybe 2 years.

This is just a wetted finger in the air. With my innovation assessment hat on I have seen truly disruptive innovation take 7 or 8 years to get to market.

And what about the ‘forever’ answer?

Regular readers will know that I believe that Innovation is something we should be doing constantly so it would last forever. Think of it as an ice cream machine that is always turned on and loaded with ingredients rather than being turned on each summer.

There is another way too. If you get stuck in the ‘cycle of non innovation’ you could be there forever and produce absolutely nothing. Read more here.

Do not be put off though, the gains can be immense.

Let’s make Innovation work for you …

How much is a lot? A million dollars may be a lot to some and small change to others.

If you are intending to spend on Innovation then it also depends on exactly what you are buying.

The word Innovation covers a multitude of activities but at the very basic level, you can create new ideas for products or services for very little cost.

As a rule of thumb, I have noticed whilst conducting idea generation workshops that in order to obtain an idea worth considering further we need to generate at least 10 ‘off the wall ideas’. Furthermore, to get a single idea worth investigating or developing we need at least 10 of these ideas.

So the ‘golden ratio’ is approximately 100 to 1. If you know how many ideas you need then this will give you a handle on the amount of time you must set aside. How you do this in an organisation is up to you.

Ideas are only just the start. What sort of system do you have for capturing ideas? You need to capture as much information as possible for future recall. Does this system work for ideas that come ‘out of the blue’?

Everything you do must be evaluated in some way so who judges? Is it the boss, a group of experts, a focus group or perhaps naive bystanders? Children are naturally good at this, if they don’t ‘get it’ you will know immediately.

Is that it? Well no. You need methods of trying things out (playing or prototyping) and capturing learning. Hopefully everything goes well but there are some failures (do you remember Coca Cola Black?).

There is no more is there? Well yes. If you are going to manufacture something as a result of your innovation activity then this may involve some extra costs also which you may wish to factor into your overall innovation cost or recover from sales. If you have never followed the path of innovation before then you may spend money on organisational culture and behaviour.

Also please stay away from the Black Hole of Innovation. It can become a drain rather than a return on investment. Read more about Black Holes. Do not be put off though, the gains can far exceed the costs.

Let’s see about fine tuning your innovation efforts

…

Hackathons! I bet you have noticed posts about them or maybe even been to a few.

They can be fun, they can even help young entrepreneurs get a feel for getting into the world of business.

Some produce good ideas, but fundamentally they are rubbish.

So why do I think they are bad? It will most certainly not be everyone’s opinion but here is mine. I’d like to hear yours too so please get in touch with your comments.

Are there pros and cons? Yes of course and here are the main points you will discover after doing a little research:

For:

Students and employees can experiment with or learn skills that they would not be able to do in a classroom or lecture room. They are easy to organise and most people know (vaguely) what they are.

Against:

If held within an organisation they can be a distraction from the real issues facing it. They tend to be formulaic and not representative of real world situations. Goals can be unrealistic and the whole situation stressful. They also develop a herd mentality (not quite groupthink). Also, research shows that the output of very few hackathons ever sees the light of day.

So what is the answer? Well first of all we should address real problems, I find it useful when assessing the innovation potential of a business to highlight one or two problem areas that are suitable for problem solving amongst the workforce. Assuming that management provides support, employees become engaged and the results usually work out.

Many businesses simply recognise the existence of ideas and give their employees the time and resources to develop them. Almost anything is possible!

High value is created when you solve a problem. Maybe you solve a business problem in which case a business (or businesses) might pay you some money. But there are other problems such as availability of medicines, food, clean water, decent housing etc.

So if you are a school, college or community group then why not take one of the above?

You might say that the answer to these already exists, grow more, make more etc but innovation needs to happen. Things can be produced locally (but maybe in a different way) or perhaps the supply chain requires a change.

However, you look at it there are problems to be solved – everywhere, and wherever you solve a problem value will always be created.

As one of my network commented the other day ‘hackathons do not grow radishes’.

Let’s talk about setting up a challenge for you …

July 11, 2022 ·

Podcast: Successful Innovators

By Derek Cheshire

Who are the successful innovators? In this episode, I talk to the entertaining Samuel West, founder of the Museum of Failure. Apart from having tales of who has failed spectacularly, Samuel West answers the question about who is actually good at innovating.

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July 1, 2022 ·

Podcast: Chaos And Planning

2 Min, 50 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

Some believe that you cannot plan creative activities. Simon Raybould and I take the wonderful topics of chaos and planning and weave them into a conversation. Obviously there's a bit more to it than that, but to get the whole story you will need to listen in.

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No, I am not referring to swearing or uttering profanities. Do you use language at work that is not appropriate in a way that is not understood by other people? This is language that is bad for communication, bad for understanding and ultimately bad for organisational culture and of course your profitability.

In a world where people of different cultures might come together and where people from different disciplines might need to collaborate it is perfectly possible that our colleagues might at best, misinterpret what we are saying, and at worst might not have a clue.

It is often said that communication has two parts, a message and a meaning. The message might be written in a common language such as English but the meaning could vary.

Let’s take the example of a group of people that have been recruited to form an Innovation function. Previously they have worked in engineering, research, operations, sales, marketing, finance and logistics. You want them to gel as a team and then create ideas for a new product or service and then deliver it.

But, they all start arguing when it comes to the basics. There seem to be many different ideas about the deliverables that you want from them. What exactly is a strategy, a plan, even a team? It may sound trivial but avoiding such mismatches of expectation and delivery can avoid a lot of heartache.

Many years ago I had the pleasure of listening to Ralph Ardill from the Brand Experience consultancy about a project that turned an empty brewery into a major tourist attraction for Guinness (The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin). He had to define a language for the project team that he brought together. We’ll never know if it would have worked if he had not, but the result is stunning. Follow the link above to see for yourself.

Marketers have long understood the power of language. They talk of brand strategies and have manuals that describe image and tone of voice. Historically these have been used to communicate with customers and then more recently internally so that this affects the culture within the business.

This is all good but language has not really been considered in a technical or engineering context other than simply to define a technical term (length, width, height, density etc).

The big question is, how far do you take it? Does the placement of desks and other office furniture just contribute to ergonomics or because it affects us as human beings, is it part of the ‘language of the office’?

At this point I say it does not really matter, and apart from being interested, what happens in individual businesses is of no concern to me (sounds harsh I know). But what I hope I have highlighted is that there is a long list of things that could be considered as part of the everyday ‘language’ of your business and that you should think about what you use and what aspects are covered.

So, please take a look at the Guiness Storehouse website and remember to avoid ‘bad’ language if possible.

More about Innovation language…

June 18, 2022 ·

Podcast: The Future Of Work

7 Min, 18 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

The very nature of Innovation means that things will look different. Here I discuss the future of work with Scott McArthur. Listen to discover how our businesses might be organised, what skills we might need and which technologies will become dominant. There's more but you need to listen in!

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Why Do I do It?

Many visitors to this blog will have encountered Simon Sinek. He is famous for the phrase ‘Start with the Why’. It would therefore seem arrogant not to take his advice. So here is the Why, How and What of my Innovation Without Tears manifesto.

If you want to know more about the Why, How and What of Innovation, then please read on. If you are impatient then go straight to the Why? page on this website and book a consultation with me.

Before I go too far I wonder if any of the issues listed below are familiar.

“We are stuck and don’t know what to try next”
“COVID has devastated our business.”
“We’d like to innovate but we don’t know how.”
“We’re not sure we can afford Innovation.”
“We are under increased pressure to produce results.”
“We do not understand Innovation.”

So what, you might be saying. Yes, we all have issues but it is the action we take that matters. I firmly believe that the answer lies with Innovation and Reinvention. The difference between the two lies not in the attitudes, behaviours and actions we take but in the scope and extent of what we do.

Let me give you an example. During COVID many teaching and learning establishments swapped to online learning. The scope was not large at the start, moving a few courses online and the costs and effort involved were not that large. This was Reinvention or what some might call incremental Innovation.

Then there were individuals and companies who began streaming their activities, appearing more like broadcasters. They had offerings for both online and face to face. They had introduced ways of collaborative working, assessment and marking so that any client, anywhere in the world could buy their services. There are those that have gone even further with the scope and intensity. All these people have been Innovating.

The above examples purely illustrate a point. You can apply Reinvention or Innovation within any industry you like, no matter how creative or regulated it may be.

This is in effect change, but why is it better? First of all, it allows you to change your course of action and thrive (or at worst survive). Usually, you create competitive advantage because you are making better use of the people within your business and tacit (internal) knowledge is not easily copied. It is also fun and fits neatly into hybrid working and portfolio careers.

You might also be tempted by business advisers who tell you to stick to what you know and be a bit more logical about your approach. If you take the logical approach then once you have tried all the things that are familiar to you then the next step is to start with some of the unfamiliar. It is therefore logical to be illogical! However this unfamiliar territory is not as scary or risky as some of the larger consultancies would have you believe.

The benefits are easy to see but here is the real Why? If you can find ways of easing the pain and removing the stress of making these changes, help people feel less lost and confused by dividing things into tasks that are easily doable, then it is much less scary. In some cases, we can change what you deliver and make use of your current delivery mechanisms.

So let us keep it simple, pain and stress free and communicate every step of the way. That is why I personally use the expression Innovation Without Tears.

How Do I do It?

The route to Innovation Without Tears is to break things down into manageable chunks and reduce risk (and sometimes cost) by obtaining as much information as possible about your business and how it works so that we know where your Innovation potential is at its highest and where any development activities need to be carried out.

In order to make this simple, I created my Innovation Equation which breaks Innovation down into easily measurable (and hence manageable) components. Read more about Innovation Measurement.

In order to challenge the status quo and make your interventions pain free, all information gathering is completed electronically with simple questionnaires. There are no pencils and computer scoring of multiple choice questions. As much demographic information is collected as possible so we can assess potential at different levels, within business functions or across geographic locations.Find out more about How?

Before any projects or programs get underway you must determine exactly where you stand right now. If necessary this activity can be undertaken again to measure the difference.

All of this information is combined with any background information previously supplied by your business and turned into a comprehensive picture (or report if you like) of your current position.

Any reports should be totally clear and transparent, no waffle, just a presentation of the facts along with any assumptions that have been made. This will ensure that as many people as possible are on board when things begin to change. This need not just be senior management, anyone with an interest should be encouraged to take a look.

Planning is of course key, but to get a good plan in place when lots of people are involved? The answer is to gather input via storyboards (or similar) and by expressing plans in a format that everyone understands. As your business is working with a little ambiguity then plans will reflect this. Maybe costs will be plus/minus 5% or profit within a range.

Everything must be brought out into the open so that there is nothing unexpected.

What Do I do?

Click on the link to download an example of Derek’s work Selther Case Story.

The link above will provide a short document that will give you an idea about exactly what I do (and what others should be doing for you). In summary, you need a way of analysing Innovation potential as a useful starting point for your Innovation or Reinvention program. It will also save a lot of time and effort by focusing resources on the places where they are needed.

Your company board should be given this information directly so that decision making is made simpler.

What comes next is variable. I can use my Project management experience to help with project or program management, and deliver workshops and seminars to help with cultural change alongside change agents (think ripples spreading out on a pond). Domino Knowedgware and Intelligent Growth are just two of the methods that can be used here.

March 5, 2022 ·

Podcast: Innovation Without Tears

1 Min, 30 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

Innovation is great and solves many business issues like surviving and beating the competition. It gets overlooked though because some CEOs see too much pain in the way. What if I could highlight some of the potential issues and then we could solve them together? Wouldn’t that be great?

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February 8, 2022 ·

Podcast: Virtual Gardening, Planning But Different

3 Min, 32 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

Are you frustrated by traditional methods of planning or creating 'to do' lists? Maybe you find them too restrictive? Its nice to know what you have to do but sometimes the methods of capturing this information seems a little too rigid. Virtual gardening might be the answer you are looking for!

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January 18, 2022 ·

Podcast: Science Fiction, It's The Future

3 Min, 1 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

People often refer to the fact that Science Fiction becomes reality. It is not that strange as most Science Fiction is not created as a result of a wetted finger held in the breeze or gazing at tea leaves in the bottom of a cup. It is perfectly possible to predict the future by looking out for 'weak signals'. These are signals, bits of information that are missed by most people who are not experts or who are not able to see patterns.

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December 16, 2021 ·

Podcast: The Secret To Innovation

6 Min, 12 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

The secret to innovation is …. that there is no secret! There are a few things to consider but these are definitely not secret. Also, please do not believe that Innovation is the preserve of a select few, the Innovation Gurus that have sprung up everywhere. As the great Charles Handy once said ‘guru is just an American word for charlatan’. Once you have worked out what works for you, simply practise and repeat. There are however a couple of things to remember.

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December 7, 2021 ·

Podcast: How Long Until Your Business Dies?

5 Min, 44 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

No I am not pretending to be the Grim Reaper and I am not referring to you, simply your business. How long do you think your business can carry on without some sort of change? With business lifecycles getting shorter you may not have as much time as you think!

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December 1, 2021 ·

Podcast: Saving The Planet With Systems Thinking

5 Min, 17 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

Looking at the title you might be forgiven for thinking that I have gone mad. Please bear with me for a few minutes. Recently I attended an online lecture all about Smart Cities which also touched on technologies such as IoT (Internet of Things just in case you missed this acronym). We have a tendency to fixate on technology because it apparently gives us something such as speed, connectivity, big data or simply control. The main learning point for me was not the technology, although it can help. The main point was about the systemic nature of smart cities.

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November 22, 2021 ·

Podcast: Introducing The Anti Plan

5 Min, 8 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

Calling all business people, scholars and all round nice people I have something for you – The Anti Plan. Despite the title, I am not proposing complete anarchy. Please keep listening. Many who know me will be familiar with my dislike of plans and planning. I realise the need for it and do create them but often they are created because someone has decreed that a plan shall be made. There is a way forward though!

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November 6, 2021 ·

Podcast: The Plastic Bottle Problem

5 Min, 6 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

If you live in the UK you will be more than aware of the COP26 conference but did you watch Panorama this week? If not you should catch it on the BBC iPlayer. For those outside the UK, the program was entitled Coca-Cola’s 100 billion bottle problem. It is a huge problem, there are billions of single use plastic bottles created by the Coca-Cola company that are littering the world. But what can be done about it?

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November 6, 2021 ·

Podcast: How do you keep in touch with reality?

2 Min, 53 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

How do you keep in touch with reality? Recently I went to the National Mining Museum at the old Caphouse colliery near Wakefield. The highlight was of course going down the pit itself. Whilst in an enclosed gallery we were invited to experience working as some of the miners had done years ago, that is, in the dark.

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August 6, 2021 ·

Podcast: Encourage Creativity – call to all CEOs

4 Min, 15 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

As CEO, if you want people to be creative, you must be prepared to implement their viable ideas. You must encourage creativity. Employees will soon work out that your support of creativity is a sham and will hold back on the creativity. After all, what's the point in making the effort to develop and promote ideas if they just get ignored?

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April 3, 2021 ·

Podcast: How Creativity Can Help Your Business

4 Min, 51 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

If you embrace the idea of creativity then as an employer you can get something else. And it is entirely for free, increased intrinsic motivation. Create the right conditions for yourself and others to be creative (at the appropriate time of course), and put in place the mechanisms to allow such behaviour. Consequently, employees and colleagues will automatically be given a greater degree of freedom and trust. In turn, this will be rewarded by increased effort or output. Now you have a better business and employees who will ‘go the extra mile’ for you without being coerced! If you want to know a little more then why not read this article What Is Creativity?

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March 26, 2021 ·

Podcast: Exploring The Givens

4 Min, 9 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

Exploring the givens is something we need to do in order to challenge those things that sit in the background and quietly undermine us. Whether at home or at work, we tend to focus on things around us that are changing, or that are connected to our own actions, because that is where much of the information that matters to us tends to be located. Life is much simpler if we filter out things that appear to be unchanging or irrelevant. Occasionally we must explore the givens. But when the 'stable, irrelevant background' contains important information, this simplification breaks down. Many 'problems' become 'problematic' because the background contained potentially important information we did not notice until it was too late.

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March 23, 2021 ·

Podcast: Creativity Is There Already, Nurture It

4 Min, 26 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

Creativity is there already. This is about valuing the creative potential in all of us, and trying to create room for it to flourish. Each of us has the ability to be creative, even if this only exists in small amounts. Such skills can be enhanced and amplified by employing the relevant tools and techniques.

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March 18, 2021 ·

Podcast: Learn To Value Play

5 Min, 49 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

As young children we play without thinking about what we are doing. Sticks become spears and swords and cardboard boxes make great castles. These, and other methods of play allow us to experience the real world but in a non-threatening way. Also we engage our imagination without the presence of the artificial barriers or filters that adults tend to employ. As adults we call this prototyping but we tend to forget the importance. We must value play more.

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March 16, 2021 ·

Podcast: Breaking Mindsets

4 Min, 44 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

Breaking mindsets is all about smashing fixed ways of thinking. Most, if not all of us have either a fixed way of doing things or a fixed way of thinking about things. These fixed patterns are known as mindsets and they can severely limit our actions in both business and private life. Imagine that you take the same route each day when you walk to your place of work. Each day you buy the same newspaper and the same sandwich for lunch. Over time you begin to get a little fed up with your choice of sandwich and the newspaper does not seem to engage you as it once did.

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March 14, 2021 ·

Podcast: Making Time For Innovation

3 Min, 28 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

Often there is no budget for innovation. It can be difficult to make time for innovation or to make it part of everyday life when the bean counters demand that everything is charged to a cost centre. This is the big dilemma, the trade-off between money and the time that we need to ‘steal’.

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March 10, 2021 ·

Podcast: Build Up, Don't Knock Down

3 Min, 45 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

Build up dont knock down. 'Building' techniques are extremely powerful and often very portable. They can have very positive secondary effects. Furthermore, they allow you to take virtually any input – a random piece of news, a misunderstanding or an accidental meeting – and get useful ideas from it.

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March 1, 2021 ·

Podcast: Examining Business Boundaries

6 Min, 36 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

Many business owners think of their business in terms of what they do on a daily basis e.g. farmers milk cows, printers print brochures and jewellers make jewellery. A better way of thinking about your business is to ask the question ‘what is it (of value) that I create and who helps me to do this?’ We should be examining business boundaries. Any other person or business that helps you in terms of creating value, and hence money for your pocket, is in fact an extension of your business.

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February 24, 2021 ·

Podcast: Asking the BIG questions

2 Min, 6 Sec · By Derek Cheshire

There are many lists of things that highly creative people do. I’m not going to replicate one of those here but just leave listeners with one question to answer – Do you ask the BIG questions?

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