This Week's Herman Trend Alert The Near-term Future of Global Travel

The Herman Trend Alert February 24, 2010 Innovation and Entrepreneurship For years now, we have seen a growing trend towards "Innovation" being a leading focus for corporations worldwide. A new book from Robert C. Wolcott and Michael Lippitz, "Grow from Within: Mastering Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation" (McGraw-Hill 2010), provides a roadmap for effectively creating innovation in organizations. Wolcott is the founder and executive director of the Kellogg Innovation Network (KIN), "a unique forum for select executives and innovation managers to meet and discuss internal and industry-wide challenges, business growth, risks, and successful strategies, with academics from the Kellogg School of Management". Discussed in the book, "Innovation Radar" (IR) grew out of an understanding that "innovation is about more than just products and technology". Companies can innovate in any area. Using IR, executives look at 12 dimensions of innovation; the chart represents all of the activities with which companies can add value. The valuable part of IR is that it provides a bridge between strategy and innovation and gives executives the opportunity to have all of their questions and answers (hopefully) before they begin the strategic process. Wolcott suggests that entrepreneurs. . ."Be clear about their objectives. Be clear about their questions. Recognize that "we [often] only see the things for which we are looking". The authors also talk about some corporate initiatives that promote innovation, like IBM's "Global Innovation Outlook" programs and "Innovation Jams". In these unique in-person and online events, IBM engages people from a wide variety of enterprises to solve global challenges facing humanity. In "Saving America: The Generativity Solution" by Robert R. Carkhuff (HRD Press 2010). Moving past any obvious political overtones, Carkhuff believes that the lack of economic freedom hamstrings entrepreneurship. Defining Generativity as "the capacity to generate a new idea", the author also provides an organized approach to innovation. “The Generativity Solution” is the application of "generativity" to all areas and levels of human endeavor: individuals, organizations, and all components of the community, culture, and economy. And that is only the beginning. Expect innovation to become increasingly important, as the nations of the world look for answers. Wolcott is right: "Corporate entrepreneurship in all of its forms is the strategic answer to the challenge of economic growth." © Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." ARE YOU READY FOR THE RECOVERY? Most employers are unprepared. The recovery next year will bring a new set of challenges for employers that have been in prolonged contracted mode. They will need more skilled workers or will need now to begin to upskill their current staffs. But organizations can not engage in Strategic Workforce Planning, when they don't know how. That's where The Herman Group can help. We can help you with your "People Review"----large or small---so that you will know who you will need and when you will need them. . . and we can also guide you to the best sources for the people you will need. For more information, call Joyce at 336.210.3548 or e-mail joyce@hermangroup.com. GOOD SELECTION = BETTER RETENTION If you are not using pre-employment assessments, you are flying without radar---not very smart in today's highly competitive environment. Let us help you better understand your candidates and your employees. In less than 30 minutes, you will know if they can do the job (abilities); their work behaviors, even their personality and attitudes (like integrity & ethics), and those can't be trained. It's very cost effective, too! For more information, contact Joyce at 336-210-3548 or e-mail assessments@hermangroup.com. Validated for many countries and cultures. We offer in-depth help with job descriptions, too! http://www.hermangroup.com/assessments.html IS YOUR EMPLOYER AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE®? Our effective, onsite seminars, workshops, and consulting can help you get there. We offer 1-, 2-, 3-hour, and full-day programs to help you communicate what it takes to become an Employer of Choice® and inspire your folks to get it done. In the future, being an Employer of Choice® will not be optional. Call Carol at 336-210-3547 to arrange a no-obligation conference call. Now announcing an opportunity in Africa (Ghana). E-mail info@EmployerOfChoice.com for more information. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

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