InnovationCreation

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Thanks for the shout out!

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This was true when they first started the program. Now the computer will check if every starbucks card is register upon charging and apply the discount automatically.

The downside is all starbucks card transactions take about twice as long to process.

-- former starbucks employee

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I love this idea. I'm always looking for ways for my kids to feel "socially relevant". I've thought of going door to door collecting pop-cans, and using the refunds to help people.

My daughter asked to sell lemonade just this weekend, but I like the idea of collecting donations for charity better. I'm sure that with a little "brainstorming" this could be expanded upon heavily!

(like I've always wanted to hangout in the local emergency room if I'm out late at night and hand out bottled water and snacks. It's the most horrible place to be...)

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Get a card at any Starbucks, go on line and register at http://www.starbucks.com/card/registerinfo.asp

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sorry how do o even get the registered starbuck card?

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Thanks for crystalizing the idea, John. I like they way you've connected the dots.

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email from m aunt:

Went to your innovationcreations website to see what you were up to --
Interesting post about the Starbucks card registry -- then the next day or
so, I went to said coffee emporium and at the drive thru, the barrista was
promoting the card registry and that it would save me the up-charge on my
soy == so I mentioned your post - she said by the 17th or some such of June,
all the computers will recognize a registered card and you won't have to
mention it. She also said to wait until tomorrow to register my card, cause
after that they're giving those who register a free drink or something..
.....she said there had been a lot of confusion initially. So! Just
thought you'd be interested......

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I'll be happy to join. Actually, I was one of the panelists at the Krieg Devault presentation. It had some good material but the audience wasn't ready for it.

Jack

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Oh yeah, might be good to bring in Jack Pincus. We've met a few times and have had some interesting discussions on this topic.
j

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John,
I like your ideas and have some to add. How about meeting for coffee sometime soon to collaborate?
Cheers,
j

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I have one of those "magic wallets" that you open up, put your money in, close, then open on the opposite side, and your money is "magically" embraced by elastic bands. I think it's quite an old design (I had one as a kid), but in the past 5 years they've been popping up more and more. I get a lot of comments on it, and it's nice and thin, but I'll definitely check out the letter wallet, too!

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Interesting article! That sales rep you overheard just might have been me!

I agree with your statement in regards to true metrics of a yellow pages ad. Unless the person who answers the phone asks the right question, every time, results cannot be properly measured.

This day and age we don't have to worry about burdening the caller or the receiver, as the use of RCF (Remote Call Forwarding) numbers solves the problem! Utlizing a separate phone number in a yellow pages ad can electronically meter the results of a particular ad, allowing you to compile some great information about where your calls are coming from (or aren't!).

Having said all this: yes, the calls are coming in, and more than you would think (especially with all the Internet advertising hype).

Though you or I may not personally use the phone book to contact a local business, without a doubt enough people are!

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You're correct - it is about the people. But don't forget that it's the tools that provide the medium to connect with!

I wouldn't have found this note had it not been for a Google Alert! ;)

Thanks!
Doug(las)

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Sounds great fun. I will give it a go.

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So your kids need more space for their things? Maybe you can glue the balls together to create some small storage bins for their toys or clothes?

Or you can have some fun and hide some balls around your home, and have a scavenger hunt. Maybe give prizes to your family if they find a mouse ball!

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They can be fun. Mix and match USEFUL ones and fun ones. : )

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You can see the author talk about the book here: http://fora.tv/fora/showthread.php?t=1062

(I haven't seen it yet though)

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Where was I that day?! I can't believe I missed hearing them speak. Y'know, Six Sigma. Hmmm. It has to be done by smart people. If it is put into the hands of people who think it can replace creativity and thought, it can do damage. all IMHO.

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I am working on developing the SwineCast.com social network, the ZippCast (zipp.com/zippcast) network, and the IU School of Informatics Alumni network. Each of these has an element of podcasting, basic marketing, and technology tools that help bring interested parties together.

Today I enjoyed an interesting tool that Gnomedex (http://www.gnomedex.com/) sent out to registered users that, at first, I thought was just a "market research" tool. Well, it is, but the immediate feedback it provided me was the map dispalyed after I filled in my info. The map allowed me to visually browse the attendees by interest, key words, or background.

The tool (Flash based software) enhanced my understanding of the group and got me thinking about the people I want to tag while I am there. This tool is helping build my social net for the conference, and beyond the conference.

Jon: I have open dates mid June (after Jun 15th), and would be interested in meeting to learn more about your activiteies. Send me a note to jlblue@innovationcreation.us.

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John,
I don't know what type of "social network" you are attempting to form. I'm also attempting to create some sort of network of medical device service providers and professionals. Perhaps we could collaborate. I'm on the southside of Indy.
j

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I looks like FaceBook should offer a "renaming" service as a secondary offering. I wonder how it would treat John Smith?

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Here are some thoughts from the Linkedin responses:

From Chris Newham

Leadership for Collaboration and Innovation.

You might find something of value in the model, "A Vision of Leadership for Collaboration and Innovation" and the corresponding exploratory blog, "The Leader-Follower."
Links:

* http://www.leadershipforcollaborationandinnovation.com
* http://ldrflr.blogspot.com

From Alastair Campbell

Independent management consultant and trainer

John

Have a look at 'The Innovator's Solution' too. Good meta-research on institutionalising organisational innovation.

A few ideas form the top of the head:

1. Like any change, leading this change is likely to be more successful if it makes full use of the levers of change that have been successful in the organisation in the past - e.g. behaviour of a suitable group of leaders, performance mgt system, rewards, recognition, skills development, org design.

2. A la 3M, gIve people time for work on new products (or whatever tangible results of innovation you seek) and set a corporate goal that x% of revenue will come from new products and cascade this through the organisation.

3. Take action to minimise the probability of good ideas from the front line failing to get to fruition because they are written off by middle mgt. See 'The Innovator's Solution' for some interesting points on this.

4. Establish an 'idea store' so that ideas that come at a time that's not quite right don't get lost for ever.

5. Go external for new stimuli for innovation including looking at unusual sectors (e.g. I was hearing about successful ad agency / church liaison for mutual innovation)

From James Reagan

Product Portfolio Manager at Amazon.com

There are some good ideas there. But you miss two that I think are most important:

1. Observe customers. Don't survey them. Don't watch your competitors. Don't focus group them. Observe them.
2. Fail faster. Try and learn, try and learn, try and learn. If you are going to be innovative, you are going to fail. Sometimes big. Ask Apple.

I recommend The Art of Innovation
for a truly good read on culture and leadership in the innovation space.

Clarification added 1 day ago:

Wow am I sorry for that link! Didn't realize you couldn't embed HTML. Sorry! What I meant to say is I recommend the book "The Art of Innovation" - the link below links to it.

From Robert Fornal

IT Trainer/Technical Writer at AEP

I always heard "steady, consistent, and methodical" as "firm, fair, and consistent" which seems easier to remember ...

From Sergio Coelho (samalc@gmail.com)

Consultant and Innovation Evangelist

Hi John! I think you captured the most important attitudes towards innovation... The following sentences came to my mind also:

"Think more like a child! Don't be afraid to make obvious questions.";
"Have fun!";
"Don't give up if you fail at first try".

From David Wolfskehl

Public speaker, Owner Business Advisers International

I would also add celebrate failures

From Tim Empringham

Innovative Technology Leader

John,

You may want to check out the recent series on CNBC called 'The Business of Innovation'. This five part program involved some very interesting panel guests and provided some very real and interesting ideas for fostering innovation within an organization. You can view the program synopsis, view the episodes on-line, and download the episodes in MP3 format at the link below.
Links:

* http://innovation.cnbc.com/

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Glad to hear you learned a lot at PodCamp NYC; did you come from IN to participate? Very cool! Great article and thanks again,

John C. Havens
Lead Organizer,
PodCamp NYC

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Gosh, and now I don't want to share the answer to your final question, because you made the mystery of it feel so yummy. : )

I'm glad you posted this. I'm glad it didn't go undocumented.

Thank you.

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Nice to meet you, John. I'll be sure to be in touch soon!

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