The Secret of Innovators

Author: Kevin O'Conner, Paul B. Brown
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publish Date: 2006-02-01
Features: Operating Blue Ocean Strategy Successful people are him! Find the innovative ideas and implementation methods required for executing Blue Ocean Strategy! You can also build a successful company worth billions of dollars! "Methodical innovation" – this is not contradictory. How did Kevin O'Conner help establish DoubleClick, this innovative marketing technology company? How did he build two software companies, dozens of products, and the "disruptive" DVD products that heavily impacted the home video market? Was it just because he was talented? He was indeed smart, but he attributed his success to his use of Thomas Edison's famous quote: "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." In other words, relying solely on genius to produce breakthrough products or services is not common. Those great ideas capable of forming the foundation of a new company or making someone an enterprise hero are within everyone's reach. "However, please note one thing: ideas are cheap," O'Conner said. Putting some effort into an idea will turn a great idea into something people need. This is equally important. In other words, the author convincingly argues that innovation can be systematized. In this book, the author guides readers through a proven-effective process to develop profitable new products and services and launch them into the market. People who want to innovate too often focus on things that are unimportant or waste time trying to find answers to unsolvable problems. The author clearly points out in the book that the innovation roadmap should be centered around five key success factors: generating a large number of actionable ideas; identifying the right pursuit goals; establishing a highly focused strategy to help ideas enter the market; securing the funding needed for strategy execution; and hiring great talent. Regarding the author's argument about "methodical innovation," we can see it confirmed through his personal experience. He has helped found many companies, and now these companies employ thousands of people and have created billions of dollars in value for shareholders. Anyone can get lucky once; but to succeed three times in a row, including many different successful products, requires a method and a roadmap. Regardless of whether a company is large or small or what products or services it offers, all companies can benefit from the author's time-tested tactics. ★ James D. Robinson III, former Chairman and CEO of American Express and general partner at RRE Partners – "This book is rare in combining the common sense, insight, and comprehensive sound judgment needed to conceive and launch a successful business. The author focuses on fundamental questions, such as can your idea solve a real need? And he provides a unique method for prioritizing creative ideas. For all serious entrepreneurs or professional business people, this book is concise yet invaluable, easy to understand, and you absolutely cannot miss it." ★ Thomas S. Murphy, former CEO of ABC and Capital Cities – "This book is inspiring, engaging, and very practical. Whether you're in a small startup or a Fortune 500 giant, the author provides clear, powerful, and smart advice to help you make your ideas for new products or services accepted and secure the funding you need." ★ Edwin Schlossberg, CEO of ESI Design – "Imagine you have a strong interest in starting a new business, and you wish to have a clear, certain, and excellent guiding principle. Fortunately, you've found it." ★ Jim McCann, CEO of 1-800 Flowers – "If you're currently, have been, or will be starting a business, you absolutely can't do without this book. I couldn't wait for a holiday or birthday to give this book to my children!" ★ Don Peppers and Martha Rogers, authors of The One to One Future – "Finally, a business leader who understands what creativity is when faced with it instead of running away! The author is a perfect creativity coach. Not only has he created a new business that outshines competitors, but he has also established an entirely new business domain!"