Category Archives: Innovation

3 Innovation Thought-Starters

Posted on November 1, 2011 | Leave a comment

If you really want to challenge thinking and promote new ideas, get in the habit of asking ”Why” and “What If” more often.

iStockphoto.com

We’ve all been there.  Nothing pops the balloon of creativity and enthusiasm faster than hearing some version of these dreaded words:  ”that’s the way we’ve always done it.”  Of course it’s infuriating.  More importantly, most of the time the result is a stifling of idea generation and the development of the “I’ll just keep that to myself” way of doing things.  The next time you’re in that situation, try to respond with Why or What If.

Here are three ideas that can help overcome the “we’ve always done it this way” syndrome, and better yet, foster a forward-looking, innovative culture and mindset. Continue reading →

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Leadership & Coaching, Innovation

Gillette Pushes Razor Growth by Competing Against Itself

Posted on March 15, 2011 | Leave a comment

Gillette, a Procter & Gamble brand, has an impressive marketing innovation track record with razors.

Photo: P&G.

Besides the technology commitment and investment, the number one strategic highlight for me is that first Gillette and now P&G has not been afraid to compete against itself and to cannibalize, if necessary, existing products for higher priced/higher margin sales.

Since the 1971 launch of the two-bladed Trac II, Gillette/P&G have rolled-out continuous innovation with the Atra, Sensor, Mach3 and Fusion product families.  Each of these brands has also had a follow-up series of sub-branded product upgrades.  Although they work for the same company, P&G’s razor marketers are not afraid of some in-house competition. Continue reading →

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Advertising, Innovation, New Products, Strategic Marketing, Video

Feel the Noise – SunChips Canada goes Social for Compostable Packaging

Posted on November 9, 2010 | Leave a comment

Photo: SunChips Canada Facebook

Score one for the Frito Lay Canada Sun Chips team.

After their US cousins abandoned most of the compostable packaging because of consumer complaints about noise (consumers really want to go green, huh?), the marketing team up north got creative to stay the course.

The clever marketing campaign leverages social media (YouTube, Facebook) to engage consumers directly in a friendly, easy conversational tone. Continue reading →

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Advertising, Differentiation, Global Business, Innovation, Promotions/Tactics, Technology & Marketing

Tagged , , ,

Tips from the Top

Posted on October 12, 2010 | 2 Comments

Three CEO marketing leadership examples stood out to me recently.  Ponder the meaning and implications from 3M, Wal-Mart and United Continental for your team and company.

Photo: 3M

Singles and Doubles Win Games Too

Sometimes the desire for the new product home run obscures the ability to win by stringing together lots of hits.  From innovation superstar 3M, we’re reminded that a series of smaller, yet profitable new product introductions can also lead to company growth.  Sure, there needs to be an understanding about benchmarks and hurdles.  And, yes, the opportunity costs to execute against new product launches need to be carefully considered.  If you can get the home run, great.  If you can’t, don’t rule out the singles and doubles, though.   

“3M is everywhere. That’s the point George Buckley, the chairman and CEO of 3M, is trying to make as he talks about his favorite subject, inventing things. Last year, he says, “even in the worst economic times in memory, we released over 1,000 new products.”

But 3M has never been about inventing the Next Big Thing. It’s about inventing hundreds and hundreds of Next Small Things, year after year.”

3M’s Innovation Revival - Fortune – September 24, 2010

  Continue reading →

→ 2 Comments

Posted in Innovation, Leadership & Coaching, New Products, Strategic Marketing

Tagged , ,