“Innovation Judo: Disarming Roadblocks and Blockheads on the Path to Creativity” by Neal Thornberry (Evolve Publishing, $19.95).Large businesses don’t start large. They start with an entrepreneur filled with original ideas (i.e. new, better, different, faster). As the business grows, it adds layers of employees, management, silos, procedures, red tape, congruent thinking — and, with respect […]
“Innovation Judo: Disarming Roadblocks and Blockheads on the Path to Creativity” by Neal Thornberry (Evolve Publishing, $19.95).
Large businesses don't start large. They start with an entrepreneur filled with original ideas (i.e. new, better, different, faster). As the business grows, it adds layers of employees, management, silos, procedures, red tape, congruent thinking — and, with respect to innovative ideas to spur growth, “corporate constipation.” No one challenges the status quo because they don't believe anyone wants to listen.
For those who want to get them to listen, Thornberry looks to the principles of judo (seiryoku zen'yo — maximum efficiency, minimum effort — and jita kyoei — mutual welfare and benefit) and the concept of ju yoku go o seisu (softness controls hardness). His seven principles start and end with “preparation.”
What does it mean to be prepared? Your idea may be great to you but it may not look great to others. You have to flesh it out and find ways to sell its benefits (e.g. creates value for the firm and its customers, defensible, scalable, etc.) to others. There's no one-size-fits-all approach to selling it because others have different perspectives and hot/cold buttons. Part of your homework involves learning about how to frame your idea to the individuals whom you need to get onboard.
That framing requires some semantic antics. Instead of saying you have an idea, open with “I believe there's an opportunity for us to … .” This shows the other two things: 1. You've done your homework; and, 2. You value and appreciate their input.
The book's innovation landscape survey and opportunity template will help you craft your game plan.
