http://news.discovery.com/human/twitter-word-2009.html
http://www.popfi.com/2009/12/01/2009s-word-of-the-year-is-twitter/
I recieved an email yesterday informing me that the 2009 word of the year was Twitter. Twitter is a word that we have been hearing a lot about this year in class, on the radio, on tv, and through word of mouth. Twitter is a popular networking service that has taken off over the last year. Normal people, corporations, and celebrities have jumped on this technology in a very short period of time. Microsoft says that "Twitter" was among the top searches of 2009 on its new Bing search engine. Other words making the list of top Bing searches were "Stock Market", "Farrah Fawcett", and "Patrick Swayze". As for other top words of 2009, Twitter beat out other top words such as "Obama", "Stimulus", "Vampire", and "Deficit". I found this to be an interesting fact since I have been hearing about Twitter so much both in class and outside of class. I've seen advertisements from business to check them out on Twitter and I've heard about various celebrities using Twitter on a daily basis. This social networking site is not just used by regular consumers, but also by companies for advertising and marketing. This site, along with facebook and blogger, is a great way to reach out to potential customers in a new and interesting way. I just thought this was a fun fact to share about this incredibly popular site that we have been hearing so much about.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Tips for Managing Creative People
http://www.allbusiness.com/human-resources/workforce-management/2975119-1.html
Chapter 12 in our text discusses understanding and managing creative people. There is an article on allbusiness.com that gives 10 tips for managing creative types. The article states that "managing a group of creative people is challenging but rewarding work." Creative and intelligent thinkers are needed for truly new and interesting innovations. Managers need to be able to deal with these kinds of people in order to continuously improve their products and still maintain a healthy work environment. The first steps are cultivating a creativity-inducing space and giving some structure. It is important to provide employees with an environment that is conducive to their creativity but also to provide enough structure to keep creative employees on track and on schedule. Other steps include giving employees time to dream, stressing the importance of balance, trusting the process, and directing them at your actual problems. Employees should have some downtime and also pay attention to all aspects of their work. It is also important to make sure they stay focused on solving the real business problems through effective communication. The last few tips include being generous with praise, allowing employee input, building a team, and being open to new ways of working. It is imperitive that these creative employees feel good about their work and feel like they are making a difference and are really included in the entire process. Managers of creative people have the challenge of being open to new ideas and innovations while also maintaining efficient business practices. Creative people can be a huge asset to a company and can help produce many beneficial innovations. Therefore, it is important for leaders to be aware of effective ways to manage these types of employees.
Chapter 12 in our text discusses understanding and managing creative people. There is an article on allbusiness.com that gives 10 tips for managing creative types. The article states that "managing a group of creative people is challenging but rewarding work." Creative and intelligent thinkers are needed for truly new and interesting innovations. Managers need to be able to deal with these kinds of people in order to continuously improve their products and still maintain a healthy work environment. The first steps are cultivating a creativity-inducing space and giving some structure. It is important to provide employees with an environment that is conducive to their creativity but also to provide enough structure to keep creative employees on track and on schedule. Other steps include giving employees time to dream, stressing the importance of balance, trusting the process, and directing them at your actual problems. Employees should have some downtime and also pay attention to all aspects of their work. It is also important to make sure they stay focused on solving the real business problems through effective communication. The last few tips include being generous with praise, allowing employee input, building a team, and being open to new ways of working. It is imperitive that these creative employees feel good about their work and feel like they are making a difference and are really included in the entire process. Managers of creative people have the challenge of being open to new ideas and innovations while also maintaining efficient business practices. Creative people can be a huge asset to a company and can help produce many beneficial innovations. Therefore, it is important for leaders to be aware of effective ways to manage these types of employees.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Top 10 Auto Innovations
http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=top&subject=innovations&story=pastInns
On Cars.com I found a page that lists the Top 10 Innovations in recent times. This list of innovations goes back about 30 years and ranges from radios to fuel injection. The top 10 innovations are antilock brakes, airbag advancements, key fobs, fold-flat rear seats, electronic stability systems, dvd players, heated and cooled seats, tilt/telescoping steering wheels and adjustable pedals, navigation systems, and hybrid drivetrains. I am doing my research paper on autombile innovation so I found this to be an interesting list. Innovations like the key fobs, dvd player, and heated/cooled seats have helped make the driving experience more convenient and comfortable for consumers. These are the kinds of technologies that, when first introduced, can give a company competitive advantage over other manufacturers. I was especially interested in electronic stability systems, which was one of the focuses in my paper. ESC is a computerized system that can apply the individual breaks automatically when the car is cornering or swerving on the road. People can drive beyond a car's capabilities and end up losing control and crashing. This innovative technology can prevent or assist these kinds of situation and decrease the number of accidents by a large amount. This technology, among many others, is one of the amazing innovations that has been introduced in the automobile industry.
On Cars.com I found a page that lists the Top 10 Innovations in recent times. This list of innovations goes back about 30 years and ranges from radios to fuel injection. The top 10 innovations are antilock brakes, airbag advancements, key fobs, fold-flat rear seats, electronic stability systems, dvd players, heated and cooled seats, tilt/telescoping steering wheels and adjustable pedals, navigation systems, and hybrid drivetrains. I am doing my research paper on autombile innovation so I found this to be an interesting list. Innovations like the key fobs, dvd player, and heated/cooled seats have helped make the driving experience more convenient and comfortable for consumers. These are the kinds of technologies that, when first introduced, can give a company competitive advantage over other manufacturers. I was especially interested in electronic stability systems, which was one of the focuses in my paper. ESC is a computerized system that can apply the individual breaks automatically when the car is cornering or swerving on the road. People can drive beyond a car's capabilities and end up losing control and crashing. This innovative technology can prevent or assist these kinds of situation and decrease the number of accidents by a large amount. This technology, among many others, is one of the amazing innovations that has been introduced in the automobile industry.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Utility Models
http://www.wipo.int/sme/en/ip_business/utility_models/utility_models.htm
http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/ipr/sme_guide_utility_models_bywipo.htm
These are two sites that discuss Utility Models, also know as "petty patents" or "utility innovations", which are used to protect inventions and innovations. A utility model is an exclusive right granted for an invention, which allows the right holder to prevent others from commercially using the protected innovation for a limited period of time. The term of protection is usually around 7 to 10 years for utility models. The requirements for utility models are less stringent than the requirements for patents, but they do vary from country to counrty. These are usually best suited for minor improvements to already existing products or adaptations of them. There is only a small number of countries that currently use them and according to 1000ventures.com, the US is not one of them yet. I think it is important for all companies to be aware of these models, as well as the other types of patents and copyrights, so they can safely protect their inventions and innovations. Innovation can bring great competitive advantage to a company, but that advantage can be quickly taken away if those innovations are not protected properly.
http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/ipr/sme_guide_utility_models_bywipo.htm
These are two sites that discuss Utility Models, also know as "petty patents" or "utility innovations", which are used to protect inventions and innovations. A utility model is an exclusive right granted for an invention, which allows the right holder to prevent others from commercially using the protected innovation for a limited period of time. The term of protection is usually around 7 to 10 years for utility models. The requirements for utility models are less stringent than the requirements for patents, but they do vary from country to counrty. These are usually best suited for minor improvements to already existing products or adaptations of them. There is only a small number of countries that currently use them and according to 1000ventures.com, the US is not one of them yet. I think it is important for all companies to be aware of these models, as well as the other types of patents and copyrights, so they can safely protect their inventions and innovations. Innovation can bring great competitive advantage to a company, but that advantage can be quickly taken away if those innovations are not protected properly.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Eco-Innovation
http://ecoble.com/2009/01/04/top-15-eco-innovations-of-the-21st-century/
I found an interesting page on the the website Ecoble:Stuff for the Green Consumer, Reader and Thinker. It discussed the top 15 eco innovations of the 21st century. Some of these "eco innovations" include a solar aviation, animal waste energy, bamboo, green gadget power and reusable shopping bags. These are not just convenient and exciting new technologies and innovations, they are also very beneficial to our environment. The first solar aviation consists of solar powered airplanes that is becoming more and more of a reality. In 2008, a solar powered Zephr set a record for unmanned non-fueled flight when it flew for more than 83 hours straight. Animal waste energy was another intriguing innovation discussed. In Wisconsin, "Dairyland Power" operates 3 animanl waste to energy plants. This technology, the reusing animal waste to generate energy, is considered one of the greatest eco innovations of the 21st century. Bamboo, although it has been around for centuries, is part of another eco innovation. It is not being used to make skateboards, furniture, biodegradable plates, clothing, and golf tees. 21st technology has allowed this natural resource to be used in a number of different eco friendly ways. There have also been green innovations to keep our electronics constantly charged. These charges can find energy from the wind and sun. The reusable shopping bag is a popular innovation that is a much greener substitute for the plastic bag. Many stores are making these reusable shopping totes available to their customers. I found all of these innovations extremely interesting and eye opening. Creative innovation cannot only benefit a business or provide convenience for the consumer, it also has the ability to help our environment at the same time.
I found an interesting page on the the website Ecoble:Stuff for the Green Consumer, Reader and Thinker. It discussed the top 15 eco innovations of the 21st century. Some of these "eco innovations" include a solar aviation, animal waste energy, bamboo, green gadget power and reusable shopping bags. These are not just convenient and exciting new technologies and innovations, they are also very beneficial to our environment. The first solar aviation consists of solar powered airplanes that is becoming more and more of a reality. In 2008, a solar powered Zephr set a record for unmanned non-fueled flight when it flew for more than 83 hours straight. Animal waste energy was another intriguing innovation discussed. In Wisconsin, "Dairyland Power" operates 3 animanl waste to energy plants. This technology, the reusing animal waste to generate energy, is considered one of the greatest eco innovations of the 21st century. Bamboo, although it has been around for centuries, is part of another eco innovation. It is not being used to make skateboards, furniture, biodegradable plates, clothing, and golf tees. 21st technology has allowed this natural resource to be used in a number of different eco friendly ways. There have also been green innovations to keep our electronics constantly charged. These charges can find energy from the wind and sun. The reusable shopping bag is a popular innovation that is a much greener substitute for the plastic bag. Many stores are making these reusable shopping totes available to their customers. I found all of these innovations extremely interesting and eye opening. Creative innovation cannot only benefit a business or provide convenience for the consumer, it also has the ability to help our environment at the same time.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Nature Inspired Innovation
http://www.treehugger.com/galleries/2009/01/nature-inspired-innovation-9-examples-of-biomimicry-at-work-image-gallery.php?page=1
This was a very interesting gallery that I found on the site treehugger.com. TreeHugger: A Discovery Company is a media outlet for "green" news, solutions, and product information. The site provides various examples of recent innovations that were inspired by something in nature. There is a picture of each innovation along with a picture of the aspect of nature that inspired it. The first innovation is Japan’s bullet train. The nosecone shape of the front is inspired by the kingfisher, a bird that dives seamlessly into water. The goal of this innovation was to eliminate the loud claps that were heard when the train emerged from the tunnel. Another example was Mercedes-Benz’s bionic car, which was inspired by the boxfish. Scientists noticed the aerodynamics of the boxfish’s shape and modeled the car after it. This resulted in a vehicle with a 65% lower drag coefficient than other cars at the time. Another rather interesting example is the innovations in hardwood plywood products which were inspired by mussels. Mussels have a great ability to stick to things, like rocks, and Columbia Forest products took note of this. They looked at the natural adhesive abilities of mussels and found a way to use soy-based formaldehyde-free technology when constructing hardwood plywood products. These and other forms of biomimicry are extremely interesting examples of very creative innovation.
This was a very interesting gallery that I found on the site treehugger.com. TreeHugger: A Discovery Company is a media outlet for "green" news, solutions, and product information. The site provides various examples of recent innovations that were inspired by something in nature. There is a picture of each innovation along with a picture of the aspect of nature that inspired it. The first innovation is Japan’s bullet train. The nosecone shape of the front is inspired by the kingfisher, a bird that dives seamlessly into water. The goal of this innovation was to eliminate the loud claps that were heard when the train emerged from the tunnel. Another example was Mercedes-Benz’s bionic car, which was inspired by the boxfish. Scientists noticed the aerodynamics of the boxfish’s shape and modeled the car after it. This resulted in a vehicle with a 65% lower drag coefficient than other cars at the time. Another rather interesting example is the innovations in hardwood plywood products which were inspired by mussels. Mussels have a great ability to stick to things, like rocks, and Columbia Forest products took note of this. They looked at the natural adhesive abilities of mussels and found a way to use soy-based formaldehyde-free technology when constructing hardwood plywood products. These and other forms of biomimicry are extremely interesting examples of very creative innovation.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Service Innovation: The Next Big Thing
http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/mar2007/id20070329_376916.htm
This is an article from Business Week by Reena Jana from March 2007. The focus of the article is the importance of Service Innovation in business today. The focus is shifting from product innovation to service innovation as the next hot area. Service innovation is not a new or unheard of subject; it is simply more hidden and often looked over when thinking of inventions and innovations. The article provides the example of Thomas Edison’s light bulb invention. “People don’t tend to think of the related service innovations—getting light bulbs into houses and schools, setting prices for the electricity services to keep them lit. That’s all service innovation.” IBM has recognized the importance of service innovation in the last few years. To connect with other companies developing service innovation, they contacted the Technology Professional Services Assn. and the Services & Support Professionals Assn. They used the idea that service innovation is not a “one-company thing” but something that can be developed more fully in a community.
The article also discusses the Service Research & Innovation (SRI) initiative, a nonprofit founded by executives of IBM and Oracle. Having an information resource like the initiative will hopefully make service innovation a more common practice in business. The initiative should be more effective than earlier service innovation groups due to its future online social-networking and public archive features. The article does recognize the fact that service innovation will not grow overnight success and that it is a very broad field. Service innovation is the new playing field of business that is receiving a great deal of recognition even in academia. Service innovation is something that all companies should be working to develop, if they have not already, and the SRI Initiative offers up suggested paths of action for companies hoping to jump on this bandwagon.
This is an article from Business Week by Reena Jana from March 2007. The focus of the article is the importance of Service Innovation in business today. The focus is shifting from product innovation to service innovation as the next hot area. Service innovation is not a new or unheard of subject; it is simply more hidden and often looked over when thinking of inventions and innovations. The article provides the example of Thomas Edison’s light bulb invention. “People don’t tend to think of the related service innovations—getting light bulbs into houses and schools, setting prices for the electricity services to keep them lit. That’s all service innovation.” IBM has recognized the importance of service innovation in the last few years. To connect with other companies developing service innovation, they contacted the Technology Professional Services Assn. and the Services & Support Professionals Assn. They used the idea that service innovation is not a “one-company thing” but something that can be developed more fully in a community.
The article also discusses the Service Research & Innovation (SRI) initiative, a nonprofit founded by executives of IBM and Oracle. Having an information resource like the initiative will hopefully make service innovation a more common practice in business. The initiative should be more effective than earlier service innovation groups due to its future online social-networking and public archive features. The article does recognize the fact that service innovation will not grow overnight success and that it is a very broad field. Service innovation is the new playing field of business that is receiving a great deal of recognition even in academia. Service innovation is something that all companies should be working to develop, if they have not already, and the SRI Initiative offers up suggested paths of action for companies hoping to jump on this bandwagon.
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