There was a great article in USA Today, “Starbucks CEO Schultz on Digital Innovation,” where he shared some interesting thought and insights about how he and Starbucks view innovation going forward. I thought there were some interesting comments, quotes, and actions they are taking that could be relevant for all of us to take not… Continue Reading
Tag Archives: Listening
Howard Schultz of Starbucks shares insights about Innovation
Posted on May 10, 2013 by Rick Smith • Creative, Culture, Customers, Employees, Imagination, Innovative, Leadership, Passion, Strategic
Leave a COMMENT: 0 Comments • Tags: Being Creative, Creative, Creativity, Culture, Customer Experience, Customer Solutions, Customers, Employee, Employees, Imagination, Innovation, Innovative, Inventive, Leadership, Listening, New Idea, New Thinking, Passion, Simple Ideas, Strategic, Unique
Strategy, Creativity, and Innovation in the Desert
Posted on April 27, 2013 by Rick Smith • Collaboration, Creative, Customers, Employees, Fun!, Imagination, Innovative, Leadership, Passion, Process, Social Media, Strategic, Teamwork
Recently we had the opportunity have a meeting with our management team in the desert, specifically Arizona. It was a great several days of learning, participation, and of course some fun. But what one area that stood out for me and I wanted to share with you was how our employees embraced creativity and coming… Continue Reading
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Who will Innovate tomorrow?
Posted on April 12, 2013 by Brian Farnsworth • Books, Creative, Culture, Imagination, Innovative, Leadership, Process, Rewards/Incentives, Strategic
Since Rick and I have been writing about innovation for over a year now, we have seen and heard a lot of great information. While most of it has been business related, some has stretched beyond these boundaries and given us an opportunity to explore innovation in other aspects of our life. This is one… Continue Reading
Leave a COMMENT: 2 Comments • Tags: Being Creative, Creative, Creativity, Culture, Future, Imagination, Incentives, Innovation, Leadership, Listening, New Idea, New Thinking, Passion, Steps to Innovation
Does your company have a “Red Box”?
Posted on March 3, 2013 by Brian Farnsworth • Collaboration, Creative, Culture, Employees, Imagination, Innovative, Leadership, Process, Rewards/Incentives, Strategic, Teamwork, Trust
I recently saw a great video on a concept Adobe uses to help drive innovation inside their company and it is based around “what’s in the Red Box.” Adobe, like ourselves, believe that EVERY employee has innovative ideas. The key is how you can get them out and into practice – this is what I… Continue Reading
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Customer “NECESSITY” is key factor in driving Innovation
Posted on February 7, 2013 by Brian Farnsworth • Collaboration, Creative, Customers, Innovative, Leadership, Process, Rewards/Incentives, Strategic, Teamwork
One of the biggest debates around innovation is who are you innovating for? Many organizations innovate around a product they believe will be really valuable even if the customer isn’t sure they really need it. The other group focuses on innovating around solving and the customer has. This is the group that believes innovation should… Continue Reading
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Success = Making more MISTAKES than Last Year
Posted on January 23, 2013 by Brian Farnsworth • Creative, Imagination, Innovative, Leadership, Passion, Process, Rewards/Incentives, Strategic
This year I decided to make some New Year’s Resolutions, like most people do this time of year. While some are more exciting than others, one I thought you might be interested in hearing about relates to my need (and probably yours) to “play it safe” and “lower my risk” throughout the year. But HOW… Continue Reading
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The Road to Innovation at EJ Bartells
Posted on January 9, 2013 by Rick Smith • Collaboration, Creative, Culture, Employees, Fun!, Innovative, Leadership, Passion, Process, Teamwork, Trust
Over the past year Brian and I have learned a lot about innovation – inside our own company, from suppliers, customers, and countless other sources that are doing some pretty incredible things in this area. It has been an incredible experience for us and one which will help us change our company for the better… Continue Reading
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INNOVATION works hand-in-hand with OPERATIONS
Posted on February 21, 2012 by Rick Smith • Collaboration, Culture, Customers, Employees, Leadership, Operations
When Brian and I decided to start writing a blog about innovative ideas and sharing stories, there was more to this than might meet the eye. Our hope and goal was to share stories and write about innovation from the perspective of taking “complex ideas” and turning them into “simple innovative ideas” that others could… Continue Reading
Leave a COMMENT: 0 Comments • Tags: Culture, Customer Solutions, Day-to-Day, Employee, Leadership, Listening, Operations
NIA “talks” Social Media…some more
Posted on November 16, 2011 by Rick Smith • Creative, Customers, Innovative, Leadership, Social Media, Strategic
In my earlier post I shared three really great take-a-ways from the speech Blaine Millet of WOM10 gave at the recent NIA Committee Meeting in Washington DC. I promised I would share a few more after my earlier post, “NIA “talks” Social Media“. So here are a few more “gems” I took away from the… Continue Reading
Leave a COMMENT: 1 Comment • Tags: Creative, Customer Experience, Innovative, Listening, Passion, Social Media, Strategic