If we build it, we will come!
Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 11:13 am
"Thomas Stewart said, "money talks, but it does not think; machines perform, often better than any human being can, but [machines and technology] do not invent...[The] primary purpose of human capital is innovation -- whether of new products and services or of improvement in business processes."
And so how well do our organizations enable people to innovate?"
Unfortunately, not very well.
Stephen Covey poses this question as he visits different workplaces,
"Would you say that the vast majority of people in the workplace possess far more creativity, resourcefulness, ingenuity, intelligence, and talent than their jobs require or even allow? 90-plus percent of hundreds of thousands of people surveyed in organizations around the world say yes."
So what's wrong with us? According to Covey, we have command-and-control organizations which stifle innovation and creativity. In the Knoweldge Age, we haven't figured out how to emaniciate the knowledge worker or leverage the "wisdom of crowds". (See his book, "The Eighth Habit")
Or have we?
See Dell's Idea Storm http://www.dellideastorm.com where you can create an account and begin posting an idea! It may be the best UI model that leverages the collective knowledge, skill and experience of people.
Why did they build it? Dell came to the conclusion that they really couldn't know what their customers wanted, and so why not ask them? And if that is true of customers, then why isn't it true of employees and partners as well?
On this website, other users can submit ideas, and either promote or demote other's ideas. You can see if your idea is getting traction, and if it is "bubbling up" to the top.
In the end, since "we are smarter than me", Dell gets much more feedback with these ideas and suggestions than through traditional means (e.g. focus groups, talk to your manager, etc.)
In the end, this website will fuel innovation in in deliving new products and services which really are customer-driven. It works at the "speed of conversation" by providing real-time feedback, and isn't bogged down in drawn out strategy sessions and meetings.
The customer says, "If we build it, we will come!"
I agree.
Our LDS Tech forum post is a great start. However, I think it could be expanded be similar to Dell's Idea Storm where you can promote or demote ideas, let's people collaborate to identify the best ideas, and see your overall (knowledge) contribution score. Now the CIO of your business can have his pulse on the market potential of a product enhancement or idea, develop strategies that leverage "the wisdom of crowds", and improve processes.
What do you think?
And so how well do our organizations enable people to innovate?"
Unfortunately, not very well.
Stephen Covey poses this question as he visits different workplaces,
"Would you say that the vast majority of people in the workplace possess far more creativity, resourcefulness, ingenuity, intelligence, and talent than their jobs require or even allow? 90-plus percent of hundreds of thousands of people surveyed in organizations around the world say yes."
So what's wrong with us? According to Covey, we have command-and-control organizations which stifle innovation and creativity. In the Knoweldge Age, we haven't figured out how to emaniciate the knowledge worker or leverage the "wisdom of crowds". (See his book, "The Eighth Habit")
Or have we?
See Dell's Idea Storm http://www.dellideastorm.com where you can create an account and begin posting an idea! It may be the best UI model that leverages the collective knowledge, skill and experience of people.
Why did they build it? Dell came to the conclusion that they really couldn't know what their customers wanted, and so why not ask them? And if that is true of customers, then why isn't it true of employees and partners as well?
On this website, other users can submit ideas, and either promote or demote other's ideas. You can see if your idea is getting traction, and if it is "bubbling up" to the top.
In the end, since "we are smarter than me", Dell gets much more feedback with these ideas and suggestions than through traditional means (e.g. focus groups, talk to your manager, etc.)
In the end, this website will fuel innovation in in deliving new products and services which really are customer-driven. It works at the "speed of conversation" by providing real-time feedback, and isn't bogged down in drawn out strategy sessions and meetings.
The customer says, "If we build it, we will come!"
I agree.
Our LDS Tech forum post is a great start. However, I think it could be expanded be similar to Dell's Idea Storm where you can promote or demote ideas, let's people collaborate to identify the best ideas, and see your overall (knowledge) contribution score. Now the CIO of your business can have his pulse on the market potential of a product enhancement or idea, develop strategies that leverage "the wisdom of crowds", and improve processes.
What do you think?