W. Edwards Deming, the famous management philosopher used to say
that the organization chart was a flow chart. It depicted a flow of
blame. He helped the Japenese think about customer driven flows which
mattered a lot more.
The reality is there are social networks within companies and they represent how most important work gets done - and innovation happens. BusinessWeek (subscription required) has a neat article on how companies are - quietly - mapping such networks within organizations. I say quietly because we persist in having formal organization charts even 50 years after Deming made his famous observation. If anything with Microsoft Visio and other tools we have glamorized the traditional organization chart even more - when we should be using them to map social network charts - "corporate X-Rays" as the article describes.
Also, see here how SAP is innovating with its own internal social networks.
Ten Types of Innovation
Doblin is an "Innovation Strategy" firm headquartered in Chicago. I like their
classification of 10 innovation
areas and landscapes.
They provide areas where companies can innovate and examples in each area
(click on each). I like the fact that they talk about innovation not just in
product design, or just in premium priced products.
Argue about Google not being on any of the lists or snicker about Martha Stewart considered a channel innovator, but it is, well, an innovative way to look at innovation.
Business Model e.g Businessweek.com
Networks and Alliances - Sara Lee
Enabling Process - Starbucks
Core Processes - Wal-Mart
Product Performance - VW Beetle
Product System - Steelcase
Service - Lenscrafters
Channel - Niketown
Brand - Ben and Jerry's
Customer Experience - Disney Cruises
February 23, 2006 in Industry Commentary, Process and Business Innovation, Smart Autos, Homes, Sports, Restaurants... | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)