Spark by John Winsor
In my previous post, Google’s Innovative Rule, I stressed how innovation is an integral part of a companies DNA. Innovation drives companies forward; it’s the prized horse pulling your carriage. Innovation, in its simplest definition, is solving problems. In a holistic view, isn’t this what most companies, service or non-service, are attempting to accomplish? Does your company promote an innovative culture? Is it welcomed with open arms like the scene in movies where two lovers are running in slow motion to meet each other?
If not maybe you should hand out copies of Spark by John Winsor to employees. Spark is dedicated to finding that innovative “spark” within your team/company. We get to meet 16 leading businesspeople – from entrepreneurs, brand managers, CEO’s – who provide their insight and recommendations on getting innovation to work. The book is broken down into 4 sections: the “Team”, the “Customer”, the “Culture”, and the “Company”. In each chapter we get to meet, through interviews, those who are innovating at that level. At the end of each interview we are given ‘Tools’, or highlights of each persons interview, and ‘Resources’, which are web pages, books, magazine articles and any other types of media which support their message. The book does an excellent job of providing many insights. There is no way you can read this book and not take away ideas to implement into your own work/team/company. As the author suggests, tear out pages! Write in it! Draw in it! It’s the workbook for innovation.
Check out the Spark blog for more insights about the book and innovation.
