Customer Reviews

The Innovator's Toolkit: 50+ Techniques for Predictable and Sustainable Organic Growth

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book presents many useful tools for Innovation with many of them focusing on the front end of innovation. However, one should have a broad understanding of the innovation process before applying these tools. For example, applying six-sigma to the front end of innovation would result in total failure as was noted by I believe it was GE.
This book is well organized by tool types, but again I would only recommend applying these tools if you have a firm and strong understanding of the innovation process, because I have came across in the book many occasions were they recommend a tool but I would not. I would recommend buying because it is a great reference!
Brian Glassman

Ph.D in Innovation management from Purdue
Innovation Management
Commercialization
Amazon

A real Innovator's Toolkit that should be in the backpack of anyone who fancies themself a facilitator or change agent. Chocker-block full of both well-known tools and as well as new ideas and concepts on how to apply them. The why (theory) and how (application/techniques) of each of the of the 50 tools is clearly explained step-by-step. A first-class extra for innovation practitioners and facilitators are the downloadable blank versions of forms for many of the tools at www.innovatorstoolkit.com/download. The authors give some excellent models of how people solve problems by describing four "classes" of problems: (1) Well-defined problems; (2) Well-defined - but unclear and requiring exploration; (3) Solution clear but the problem is fuzzy -new applications for existing solutions; (4) problem and solutions both undefined - unknown territory. Taking how people PREFER to solve thoses classes of problems to the next level, the authors provide some insights into cognitive style in the context of both of individuals and teams. An overview of KAI (Kirton Adaption-Innovation) theory helps explain differences between more adpative and more innovative problem solving styles. Tools and techniques range from simple, easy to use to the more complex that require more time and skilled facilitation (i.e., deeper knowledge and understanding).

I found the book useful as a general reference. It covers a lot of tools for innovation, but in a very general sense. If I need/want details, I can look up other refs.

Innovation is a subject that attracts a lot of attention now that companies struggle to size a shrinking market and consumers with less buying power than previous years. The idea of a compendium of the Innovation tools and techniques is very interesting for people tasked with the creation of new sources of revenue. The book comes from that foundamental idea, but the content is too shallow to even support a deep exploration into any of the methdologies. No comparative analysis between methodologies or use case scenarios, no best fit or recommendations; just a simple description (and sometimes less than that). It would be close to impossible to achieve expert skills from a single book, but a guidanece for further exploration is not new for many subjects. Great idea, poor execution.

This is an excellent summary of innovation tools. I did feel that many of the tools were repackaged TRIZ concepts, but despite that it is an excellent introduction, as well as a great reference on how to perform many important tools. I did appreciate their comments on several tools where it would be best to have a expert facilitate using the tool.

The day after I received "The Innovator's Toolkit" I was already putting the concept of "Jobs to be Done" to good use while facilitating a team meeting. As the authors mention in the preface, there is a dearth of actionable Innovation books in the market and this book succeeds in filling that void. The Innovator's Toolkit, authored by the CEO and Chief Innovation Officer at Breakthrough Management Group, is yet another example of this consulting firm's track record of fulfilling the unmet needs of forward thinking leaders in the private and public sectors. I highly recommend "The Innovator's Toolkit".

The book describes many techniques that are instantly applicable to many businesses. I found it quite helpful. The book starts paying dividends from the first chapter on "Job To Be Done."

I have many books on Innovation and product development and this one has many great tools that guide you down the path of creating a great new product or service. Many of the tools are not new, but they are presented in a logical format that helps keep you on track. I use this a reference in some of the classes that I teach.

Many consider Innovation as something that just "magically happens". That's just not true, innovation is a process! This book demonstrates that anyone can be an innovator, provided they have the right tools. The presentation of over 50 methods for innovation assures that you can find something that will work for your organization. This book is highly recommended not only for product, process, and software designers, but also anyone interested in fresh ways to look at old problems. What is stopping your organization from applying these tools to drive organic growth?

Having previously worked in an highly competitive industry with low margins and very little difference between the main players, I value innovation as the key component of sustaining a business over the long haul.

The difficulty of pursuing innovation is how to share knowledge across an employee base that may have little appetite for concepts that require them to think differently. This is a strong point of the book; Innovator's Toolkit breaks concepts down into digestible pieces that should resonate with almost anyone. Furthermore, Toolkit provides the ability for nearly immediate results with its "How To" format, thereby reinforcing the benefits of innovation out of the starting gate.

The Innovator's Toolkit should be an excellent business gift where the recipient will actually read it and use it as a working tool instead of just weighing down their bookshelf. I give it two big thumbs up and five stars.