Primed for Innovation

PRIMED FOR INNOVATIONOur approach to innovation needs us to see the world

beyond the way we are

Primed Associates, LLC

Andrew Marshall [Drew]Principal

Copyright © Primed Associates, LLC. 2009 All rights reserved.


When first observed this photo caused quite a stir.


A human face.Evidence of Life on Mars?

Viking Photograph of Mars 1976


Not so fast. 25 years later…“Where’s the Man in Mars?”

MGS Photograph of Mars 2001



ANAÏS NIN20TH CENTURY AUTHOR PHILOSOPHER

We don’t see the world the way it is.We see the world the way we are.


Priming is…• A state of readiness

• To make ready; prepare: guard dogs primed for attack.• To prepare (a gun or mine) for firing by inserting a

charge of gunpowder or a primer.• To prepare for operation, as by pouring water into a

pump or gasoline into a carburetor.• To prepare (a surface) for painting by covering with size,

primer, or an undercoat.• To inform or instruct beforehand; coach.

• Informed by our experiences, beliefs, mores, culture, upbringing, and so much more


Priming is also…

• A way of coping with the almost infinite number of information inputs we receive each day through our senses so that they don’t overload us

• Based on the concepts of pattern recognition and pattern expectation encountered in heuristics

• Neither good nor bad• At times, fallible


HOW DOES THIS RELATE TOINNOVATION?


Product Development is…

• Inherently risky• A cross-organization resource drain• Change forced into stable systems• Where good ideas get “improved”• Among the first to be sacrificed for survival• Like running a marathon, hopping on one leg,

while someone continually changes the route in front of you


Product Development needs…• Palatable risk – to be prepared for pain• Cross-organizational commitment of resources• Leverage within organizational systems• To embrace “That the enemy of good is great”• To demonstrate that it can close the growth gap• The patience of a guru, the stamina of a Tour de

France cyclist, the focus of a chess grand master, the insight of Sherlock Holmes and the gregariousness of Oprah


PRESIDENT’S RESEARCH COMMITTEEON SOCIAL TRENDS

There is in our social organization an inertia…Unless there is a speeding up of social invention or a slowing down of mechanical invention, grave maladjustments are certain to result.


PRESIDENT’S RESEARCH COMMITTEEON SOCIAL TRENDS

(1933)

There is in our social organization an inertia…Unless there is a speeding up of social invention or a slowing down of mechanical invention, grave maladjustments are certain to result.


HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR WORLD?


HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR WORLD?Product Development


Is it full of potential?


Is it constantly delayed?


Is it on the verge of catastrophe?


Or perpetually cheery?


A LITTLE SUBVERSION IS A GOOD THING…Right?

What does it take to see the world differently a lá Banksy?

To subvert the dominant paradigm?

To take the everyday and see it anew?


LUDWIG MIES VAN DER ROHEARCHITECT, DESIGNER, MODERNIST

Less is more.


ROBERT VENTURIARCHITECT, AUTHOR, POST-MODERNIST

Less is a bore.


SOPHOCLESGREEK PLAYWRIGHT, SHOW-OFF

Success is dependent on effort.


HELPING YOUR ORGANIZATION DRIVE SUCCESSFUL INNOVATION CAN FEEL LIKE TRYING TO TURN A CRUISE SHIP.

HOW DO YOU GET YOUR “CRUISE SHIP” TURNING?



EFFORT.

BUT WHAT KIND?

www.kstoolkit.org/Social+Network+Analysis

Start your understanding here.

http://www.kstoolkit.org/Social+Network+Analysis


Priming Product DevelopmentPrime an internal social network to directly

support your product development and innovation outcomes takes considerable effort

Use the following levers to move the fly-wheel:• Stories – to energize• Images – to inform• Physical Space – to influence• Text – to instruct• Dialogue – to engage


TELLING TALL TALES & TRUE – THE STORIES WE TELL


WHEATLEY & ROGERSLEADERSHIP AND THE NEW SCIENCE 1999

Organizational folktales become ways for building shared coherence, defining the “fundamental integrity about who we are.”

IMAC ADVERTISEMENT2001


DONALD NEILSENFOUNDER – NEILSON NORMAN GROUP

(WHO LEFT APPLE IN 1997)

I've been thinking hard about the Apple product-development process since I left…If you follow my [guidelines], it will guarantee good design. But Steve Jobs doesn't want good design. He wants great design, and my method will never give you that. That takes a rare leader, who can bring both the cohesion and commitment, and style. And Steve has it.

Arthur Fry the inventor of the Post-it Note ™ realized that his "bookmark" had other potential functions when he used it to leave a note on a work file, and co-workers kept dropping by, seeking "bookmarks" for their offices. Stories sold the idea inside 3M, first.



The recent re-branding of HP returned to an old story too.


Every community has a memory of itself.Neither an archive nor an authoritative record ...but a living history, an awareness of a collective identity woven of a thousand stories.


A PICTURE IS WORTH10N WORDS – THE VISUALS WE DISPLAY


How can you begin to innovate in this space?

Design a tool for market dialogue

Like >

http://www.edwardtufte.com/tufte/minard

Napoleon’s March to Moscow (Minard)A data-rich story that stands alone

Product development drawingswork as internal sales tools

And help convey experiences

…of all types


AFFECT THE PHYSICALAFFECT THE PERSPECTIVE – THE SPACES WE PRESENT


The Parthenon

“Entasis” makes it appear normal


The Sydney Harbour Bridge

The towers at each end (pylons)serve no real structural purposeexcept to make people feel safer

2008 Mansory Rolls-Royce Bel AirThe power of a “perfect” prototype


HOW ARE YOU USING YOUR SPACESTO AFFECT THE WAY YOU SUPPORT YOUR INNOVATION EFFORTS?


The cubicle farm.Is this really how to reap the

benefits of the best and brightest?


NEWSPAPERS ARE DEADLONG LIVE NEWS- THE INSTRUCTIONS WE PRESCRIBE

Well, things are grim a bit , aren’t they?

But we still seem to have a lot to say

HOW DO ENGAGE A PRESIDENT?Fictional


The power of the written word

This poster was never used when it was designed – for Great Britain in WW2

In the current economic times it has unexpectedlyreceived a new lease of life

www.wordle.net

With our written words we prepare for the conversation



HAVE A CHAT WITH THAT!- THE CONVERSATIONS WE FOSTER


DIALOGUE: A FORM OF DISCUSSION AIMED AT FOSTERING MUTUAL INSIGHT AND COMMON PURPOSE.


DIALOGUE: HOW GALILEO GOT HIMSELF INTO A LITTLE TROUBLE.


The quality of dialogue here…


…Needs to find a welcome home here, too.


ISAACSDIALOGUE 1999

A jazz musician improvising and inventing new music is engaged in generative dialogue with the music and his band.

Prime yourself and your organization - who knows where the journey might take you and your

organization?Copyright © Primed Associates, LLC. 2009 All rights reserved.


ANY QUESTIONS? FIND ANSWERS HERE…

Twitter:@DrewCMLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/DrewCM

www.thinkprimed.com

Primed Associates, LLC

Andrew Marshall [Drew]Principal


Primed for Innovation

Business