From a leader in innovation best practices, 10 simple and practical steps
your business must take to achieve profitable growth, through innovation
In this timely guide, innovation expert and former CEO Robert Brands presents
the best practices for today's "innovate or die" world, in the form of 10 simple
and practical steps your business must take to achieve growth through innovation.
Robert's Rules of Innovation™ simply, intelligently, and entertainingly
creates order from the chaos imposed by today's misguided mandate for "addition by
subtraction" profitability. Concisely, Robert's Rules of Innovation™
- Distills Robert Brands' wealth of experience as a leader of international
product development teams
- Explains why innovation is imperative
- Provides the practical steps needed to deliver innovation
- Draws upon the wisdom of global business leaders and is filled with real world
examples, anecdotes, and practices
Timely, accessible, and indispensable, Robert's Rules of Innovation™ is
a road map for success through sustainable innovation with a clear message: innovation is
the lifeblood of business and the secret to outperforming your competition. Direct and
practical, Robert's Rules of Innovation™ is a must-read for managers at all levels.
ROBERT F. BRANDS is President and founder of Brands & Company, LLC
(www.innovationcoach.com). Having gained hands-on experience in bringing innovation to
market, creating and improving the necessary product development processes and needed
culture, he delivered on his charter to bring "at least one new product per year to
market"—resulting in double-digit profitable growth and share-holder value.
MARTIN J. KLEINMAN is a New York–based business writer and marketing
communications specialist (www.commstratpr.com). His experience includes work at a wide
range of companies, such as DuPont, Johnson & Johnson, Mattel, Infiniti Automobiles,
Coors, American Express, Fidelity, and more.
Table of Contents
Introduction.
CHAPTER 1 INNOVATION, SURVIVAL, AND THE "AHA!" MOMENT.
How Do I Get to "Aha!"?
Innovation Is Not a Luxury.
Where Does Innovation Begin?
CHAPTER 2 THE INNOVATOR'S MANIFESTO ROBERT'S RULES OF INNOVATION.
Inspire.
No Risk, No Innovation.
New Product Development Process.
Ownership.
Value Creation.
Accountability.
Training and Coaching.
Idea Management.
Observe and Measure.
Net Result and Reward.
CHAPTER 3 THE INNOVATION AUDIT THE INVALUABLE DISCOVERY PROCESS THAT SETS THE STAGE
FOR ACTION.
The Audit Process.
The Short Audit.
The In-Depth Audit.
The Importance of Establishing a Benchmark.
CHAPTER 4 INNOVATION EMANCIPATION KEYS TO FREEING YOUR INNER INNOVATOR.
Defeating Devil's Advocates to Become an Agent for Change.
Innovation Democratization is the Key.
The Role of the Consensus Builder.
The Path of an Innovation Champion.
The Innovation Pay-Off: A Quick, Real-Life Story.
CHAPTER 5 INNOVATION IN THE TIME OF MULTINATIONAL TEAMS.
The Care and Feeding of Creatives.
For Creative People, It's About More Than Money.
Babel, Babble and the Global Team Leader.
Team Building, One Step at a Time.
Viva la Difference!
Aretha Was Right: It's All About R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
CHAPTER 6 PATENTLY OBVIOUS THE CARE AND FEEDING OF YOUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
Intellectual Property: The Big Picture.
Intellectual Property 101.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Remember: The Wolves Are Always At the Door.
CHAPTER 7 INNOVATION IMPLEMENTATION.
Getting Started.
Define Your Organization's Needs.
NPD Process in Action.
Creating a Roadmap to Success.
Guidelines for Progress.
CHAPTER 8 INNOVATION CHECKLIST.
Pre-Flight Preparation.
Or, If You Really Want Your Innovation Program To Flop…
Advice – and Encouragement -- from the Pros: A Roundtable Discussion.
Sustainable Innovation and You.
APPENDIX A PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS.
APPENDIX B THE FIVE STAGES OF THE PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT PROCESS: EXAMPLE 1
APPENDIX C. THE FIVE STAGES OF THE PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT PROCESS: EXAMPLE 2
Key Resources and Links.
Acknowledgments.
About the Authors.
Index.
212 pages, Hardcover