Real-world strategies for uncovering potential and capitalizing on opportunity

Innovation is worth little unless it generates lasting success, and gaining measurable results from new ideas requires more than creative risk-taking. Successful innovation demands a tactical approach, andGetting Innovation Right reveals how your company can secure real traction and growth in the marketplace. With Seth Kahan's outcome-based approach, based on his experience leading innovation initiatives at a diverse range of organizations, you will identify the inflection points that generate market opportunities for your company and leverage the best techniques for securing a foothold in a lucrative new space.

Offers a framework of 7 key activities for results-driven innovation, from intelligence-gathering through executionGoes beyond abstract advice to offer hands-on approaches that are relevant and applicable in any organizationThe companion and follow-up to Seth Kahan's bestselling first book,Getting Change Right and FastCompany.com blogLeading Change

Grounded in market-based reality,Getting Innovation Right is an indispensable resource for leaders looking to drive results and move in fresh directions.

Seth Kahan is an executive strategy consultant and author. He works directly with CEOs on change and innovation initiatives and teaches over 25,000 professionals every year in conferences and professional seminars. He has worked with Royal Dutch Shell, World Bank, the Peace Corps, and many other organizations. His first book, Getting Change Right, was a Washington Post bestseller, and he writes regularly for Fast Company's website. He lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with his wife, daughter, and son.

List of Figures and Tables ix

Introduction xi

1 Pursue and Leverage Inflection Points 1

Expert Input: Cindy Hallberlin of Good360.org on Getting Ahead of an Inflection Point 31

2 Build Innovation Capacity 37

Expert Input: Jeanne Tisinger of the Central Intelligence Agency on Building Capacity 44

Expert Input: Paul Pluschkell of Spigit on Idea Management 59

3 Collect Intelligence 65

Expert Input: Ken Garrison of Strategic and Competitive Intelligence Professionals on Competitive Intelligence 86

4 Shift Perspective 93

Expert Input: Roger Martin of the University of Torontos Joseph L. Rotman School of Management on Thinking Differently 104

5 Exploit Disruption 109

Expert Input: William D. Eggers of Deloittes Public Leadership Institute on Disruption and Government 124

6 Generate Value 147

Expert Input: Mark Katz of Arent Fox LLP on Generating Value 158

7 Drive Innovation Uptake 183

Expert Input: Mark Hurst of Creative Good on Getting Close to Customers 201

Appendix A: Sample Business Intelligence Contract 219

Appendix B: High-Level Outline of a Typical Business Plan 223

Appendix C: Simplified Business Plan Financial Model 225

Notes 227

Acknowledgments 233

About the Author 235

Index 237