Ron Adner mini-podcast: Why smart companies make avoidable innovation mistakes

After our recent interview with Ron Adner, author of "The Wide Lens: A New Strategy for Innovation," we got to chatting, and in that exchange we talked about the reasons smart companies can fall into the trap of a too-narrow viewpoint. I You can learn more about The Wide Lens at its website, where chapter 1 is available to read for free. Mini-Podcast: Ron Adner after interview discussion (4:15)

"The Wide Lens" author Ron Adner shares stories of innovation mistakes

I had the opportunity to interview Ron Adner, professor at the Tuck School of Business and author of "The Wide Lens: A New Strategy of Innovation." The book details the challenges with innovating when you are dependent on more than you and the end-customer - including intermediaries, co-innovators, etc., who influence the success of your new venture. Ron shares a couple of great stories, but perhaps the most significant part of the interview is the discussion that happens after each story. One of the great benefits of sharing mistake stories is dialoguing with others about what happened, why, and how we can learn from it. I have found this sort of dialogue very helpful in my own learning, and I'm happy to share this neat example with everyone. You can learn more about The Wide Lens at its website, where chapter 1 (in which Adner evaluates the Michelin story he relates in this podcast) is available to read for free. Podcast: Ron Adner, author of The Wide Lens, on innovation ecosystem mistakes (28 minutes) 0:30 - How did The Wide Lens come about? 2:30 - The Michelin mistake story 6:45 - Discussing the Michelin story 13:15 - The inhalable insulin mistake story 19:30 - Discussion: The value blueprint, leading/following, timing, etc. 24:10 - How "The Wide Lens" helps innovators

Silicon Pasture Podcast #1 - Jason Kichline of OnSong

In our inaugural Silicon Pasture podcast, we talk to Harrisburg-based Jason Kichline, developer of the OnSong iPad application that helps musicians and bands manage chordsheets.

My favorite part of the interview is when Jason, when asked why he was able to succeed in building his own business developing websites, credited good timing rather than his own brilliance. Good for you, Jason!

Highlights:
0:35 How he got started
2:45 How can you build a sustainable business out of a hobby?
4:07 The idea for OnSong
7:05 What the app does
9:13 What's happened since the product's release
12:30 Marketing OnSong
14:45 On new computing form factors

You can download the podcast here: Silicon Pasture Podcast - Jason Kichline.

[A collection of other Silicon Pasture posts.]


Theme music: "Odyssey" by Woolfy.

Shop Talk Podcast: Roberto Verganti on "Design-Driven Innovation"

Roberto Verganti's book "Design-Driven Innovation" is one of the best business books of the year. It discusses the methods certain companies use to create products with radically new meanings, offering customers something they never realized they wanted and generating long-term competitive advantage and outsized profits as well. In this podcast, Professor Verganti discusses the ideas behind the book and how it applies to companies like Apple, BMW, Artemide, and Harley-Davidson.

For more information, visit the book's companion website.

Podcast: Roberto Verganti on Design-Driven Innovation (mp3, 39:41)

Timeline:

0:35 What is the "meaning" of a product?

6:00 The meaningfulness of the iPhone

13:50 The role of "interpreters" in Design-Driven Innovation

19:50 Relationships between companies and interpreters

23:45 What is the CEO's role in Design-Driven Innovation?

30:00 How much of the CEO's time is required?

33:25 More resources on Design-Driven Innovation

Related post:
Review: "Design-Driven Innovation"

[Theme music: "Up the Coast" from West Indian Girl's CD "4th and Wall"]