Page 213 - Free the Idea Monkey

Infuse outside experts. Every aspect of
the innovation process can be enhanced by
reviewing it through the eyes of experts from
outside your industry “beginners.” They will
see things you don’t see, get you excited about
ideas you may pass over, and keep you from
making the mistakes they’ve made trying to
solve a similar challenge. Beginner’s luck.

“Parallel engineer.” We like to encourage this politically correct
form of stealing. Send your peeps to conferences, learning events,
retail establishments, other businesses, etc., that have nothing to
do with your business. Have them talk to the experts there about
problems you are having. Ask those experts how they have solved

similar challenges. Can you use this
idea? Why invent a solution when one
already exists?

Ask the newbies. Your newest
hires and the youngest people in your
firm carry with them what appears to
be a look of confusion. It is actually
the fleeting glow of a new idea desper-
ately trying to be born. Ask them what they see. Ask them how they
would solve the problems. Desperately try not to cut them off or offer
your “expert” opinion. They just may give you an idea that will make
you a hero.
From our experience, using these techniques will result in you
being viewed by your competitors as a little bit crazy, a little bit
ruthless and a lot-a-bit lucky.
Leaders lead. “Chance favors the prepared mind,” Louis Pasteur
said. So does innovation. If you want innovation to happen, you have
to prepare the groundwork. You have to clear the way for those people
who believe by getting rid of those who don’t. Some call that ruthless.
I call it common sense.

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