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Showing posts from September, 2022

InnoFrames | The Import Tool in Functional Innovation

Innoframes is a series of videos on Functional Innovation principles presented by Rakesh Babu . In this video, Rakesh describes how the play pump illustrates the principle of #Invert.  To learn how leading Fortune Global 500 companies such as ABB, Bosch, Google, Samsung, and NetApp have used Innomantra's Functional Innovation Methodology to turbocharge their idea management process, schedule a meeting today at  calendly.com/innomantra .

Process Heuristics for Cost Innovation

By Tojin T. Eapen Cost innovation refers to the process of finding ways to reduce costs while maintaining or improving the quality of a product or service. It involves identifying and addressing inefficiencies in the production or delivery process and finding innovative ways to reduce costs while maintaining or improving performance.  Cost innovation can be achieved through a variety of methods, including streamlining operations, automating processes, finding new suppliers or vendors, and implementing lean manufacturing principles. Cost innovation is often pursued in order to increase competitiveness in the market, as companies that are able to produce high-quality products or services at a lower cost are more likely to attract customers. It can also be a way for companies to increase their profitability by reducing costs and improving their bottom line. We identify 12 process improvement heuristics that can be used to rethink and redesign business processes to drive cost innovation in

Minimalist Product Design

Minimalist product design is a design approach that emphasizes simplicity and functionality. It involves using a minimal number of elements and materials to create a product that is efficient and easy to use. This approach often involves using clean lines and a lack of ornamentation, and it focuses on the essentials of a product rather than on decorative elements.  Minimalist design can be applied to a wide range of products, including furniture, appliances, clothing, and electronics. It is often associated with modern and contemporary design styles, and it can be seen as a way to streamline and declutter the physical environment. Core Principles of Minimalist Design Some of the core principles of minimalist design include: Simplicity: Minimalist design seeks to eliminate unnecessary elements and focus on the essentials of a product. This can be achieved through the use of a limited color palette, simple shapes, and a lack of ornamentation. Functionality: The primary focus of minimalis

Persuasion Principles

Persuasion is the act of influencing someone's thoughts, beliefs, or actions through communication. There are six fundamental principles of persuasion made famous by Robert Cialdini in the book, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion . Reciprocity: People tend to want to return a favor when someone has done something nice for them. Scarcity: People perceive things as more valuable when they are scarce or hard to obtain. Authority: People are more likely to be persuaded by someone they perceive as an authority figure. Liking: People are more likely to be persuaded by someone they like or have a positive relationship with. Commitment: People are more likely to be persuaded when they have made a public commitment to a particular course of action. Social proof: People are more likely to be persuaded when they see others around them doing something. This is also called the principle of consensus. Effective Persuasion Techniques: An Extended List Another persuasion strategy is th

A Primer on Design Thinking

Design thinking is a creative problem-solving approach that is focused on understanding the needs and desires of the end user, and using that understanding to design innovative solutions that meet those needs. It is a holistic approach that involves a series of steps and techniques, including empathy, ideation, prototyping, and testing, that help organizations to identify and solve complex problems in a more user-centered way. Design thinking is often used in organizations as a way to improve products, services, and processes, and to create more innovative and engaging experiences for customers. It can be applied to a wide range of industries, including technology, education, healthcare, and finance, and is particularly well-suited to addressing complex, multifaceted problems. One key aspect of design thinking is empathy, or the ability to understand and identify with the needs, desires, and motivations of the end user. By gathering insights and feedback from users and stakeholders, or

Buyer's Remorse

Buyer's remorse, also known as post-purchase dissonance, is a feeling of regret or disappointment after making a purchase. It can be triggered by a variety of factors, including overpaying for an item, not fully understanding the terms of a purchase, or simply not being completely satisfied with the product or service. One common example of buyer's remorse is the feeling of regret that can come after making a major purchase, such as a house or a car. The excitement of finding the perfect home or car can quickly turn to disappointment if the buyer later realizes that they overpaid or made a poor financial decision. Another example is the purchase of a product or service that doesn't live up to the buyer's expectations. For example, a customer may regret purchasing a new television if it has poor picture quality or breaks down shortly after the purchase. In these cases, the buyer may feel that they wasted their money and may wish they had done more research or made a diff

Cultural Benefits of the ISO56000 Standards on Innovation Management

ISO56000 standards can provide several cultural benefits for organizations. Some of these benefits include: Developing open-mindedness to accept new business models and methods: The ISO56000 standards can help organizations to be more open-minded and willing to explore new business models and methods. This can lead to increased innovation and more successful product and service development. Promoting the growth of an innovation culture with a global objective: The ISO56000 standards can help organizations to develop a culture that is focused on innovation and the achievement of global objectives. This can lead to increased collaboration and more effective decision-making within the organization. Facilitating the implementation of partnerships: The ISO56000 standards can help organizations to establish partnerships with other organizations, which can lead to increased innovation and improved business performance. Improving collaboration and communication on a global scale: The ISO56000

A Primer on Brainstorming

Brainstorming is a method of generating ideas and solutions through group discussion and collaboration. It was first developed by advertising executive Alex Osborn in the 1940s as a way to encourage creative thinking and problem-solving within organizations.  Osborn believed that the traditional method of evaluating ideas individually was not effective, as it often led to self-censorship and a lack of creative thinking. Instead, he proposed a method in which ideas were generated and evaluated as a group, with the goal of coming up with as many ideas as possible without criticism or judgment. Osborn's idea of brainstorming quickly gained popularity and was widely adopted by businesses, schools, and other organizations. In the 1950s, the concept was further developed and refined by management consultant and author Ned Herrmann, who introduced the idea of "whole brain" thinking, which emphasized the use of both left-brain and right-brain thinking in the brainstorming process

Idea Management as a Motivational Tool in SMEs: Purpose Beyond Paychecks and Profits

By  Lokesh Venkataswamy , CEO, Innomantra Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in India are facing the challenge of motivating their employees and aligning individual goals with the goals of the firm. This is a particularly pressing issue in the post-covid world, where individuals are more cognizant of their frailty and are looking for ways to make their lives more meaningful. In the past, work was seen as something to be tolerated in order to enjoy a more fulfilling life outside of work. However, now increasingly, employees are looking to work for organizations that provide a purpose beyond paychecks and profits . Creativity is powerful tool for both motivation and alignment. When employees are encouraged to contribute innovative ideas, they are suddenly given a sense of purpose and meaning in their work. This breaks the monotony of their day-to-day tasks and aligns their interests with those of the organization. It also shows employees that the organization values their ideas and is

Product Recalls in the Innovation Management

Product recalls play an important role in innovation and new product development. They serve as a mechanism for identifying and correcting design or manufacturing defects, which helps to ensure the safety and reliability of products for consumers.  Recalls also provide valuable feedback for manufacturers and designers, allowing them to improve their products and processes and to develop new technologies and designs that are safer, more efficient, and more effective. Additionally, recalls can help to build trust and confidence in a brand, as consumers see that the company is taking responsibility for any problems and is committed to making things right.

Market Segementation and Microsegmentation

Market segmentation is the process of dividing a market into smaller groups of consumers with similar needs or characteristics. It is an important aspect of new product development and innovation because it allows companies to tailor their products and marketing efforts to specific groups of consumers, rather than trying to appeal to everyone in the market. By identifying and targeting specific segments of the market, companies can better understand the needs and preferences of their customers, and develop products that meet those needs. This can help increase the chances of success for new products, as they are more likely to be well-received by the intended audience. In addition, market segmentation can also help companies identify untapped opportunities for innovation and new product development. By understanding the needs of different market segments, companies can develop new products or features that meet the needs of these groups and differentiate their offerings from competito

Market Benefits of the ISO56000 Standards on Innovation Management

The ISO56000 standards provide a set of guidelines and best practices for organizations looking to improve their innovation processes. These standards are designed to help organizations better understand and meet the needs of their customers, and can provide a number of market benefits. Some of these benefits include: Providing guidance on how an organization can fulfill unmet customer needs: The ISO56000 standards provide organizations with a framework for identifying and addressing unmet customer needs. By using this framework, organizations can better understand their customers and develop products and services that meet their needs. Increasing business opportunities and opening new markets: The ISO56000 standards can help organizations to identify and pursue new business opportunities, which can lead to increased revenue and market share. In addition, the standards can help to reduce trade barriers and make it easier for organizations to enter new markets. Reducing time to market:

Memes

A meme is a unit of cultural information that is transmitted from one individual to another through the process of imitation, often in the form of a funny image or video with a caption that can be easily shared on the internet. Memes are often created by combining existing media, such as a picture or video, with a humorous or thought-provoking caption.  The term "meme" was first coined by evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book "The Selfish Gene," in which he described memes as a unit of cultural evolution that spreads in a similar way to genes. The internet and social media have played a major role in the spread of memes, allowing them to be shared and remixed quickly and easily by people all over the world. Resources Meme | Definition, Meaning, History, & Facts | Britannica Meme Generator - Imgflip What Defines a Meme? | Arts & Culture| Smithsonian Magazine

Form and Function in Design

By  Tojin T. Eapen Form and function are two fundamental characteristics of design that work together to create a successful and aesthetically pleasing product or system. Form refers to the visual appearance or outward design of an object, while function refers to its intended purpose or behavior.  In design, form and function must be carefully balanced to create a product that not only looks good, but also performs its intended function effectively. A product with a visually pleasing form but poor function will ultimately be unsuccessful, while a product with excellent function but an unappealing form may not be as well received. In this article, we discuss three principles that relate to the relationship between form and function in design. The first principle is "form follows function," or in its original form, "form ever follows function." This principle suggests that the form of a product should be designed to support and enhance its function. The second princi

Spidercopter: AI Designed Spider Inspired Helicopters

In this article, we examine the potential for using artificial intelligence (AI) to design a hypothetical aircraft called a "Spidercopter." We aim to explore the use of AI tools for both idea generation and design creation in order to better understand how the workflow for such projects should be structured and to identify the appropriate, necessary, or meaningful points for human intervention. To achieve these goals, we will use generative AI techniques to generate ideas for the Spidercopter design. This may involve using text-based AI tools, including chatGPT to create prompts and  image-based AI tools, such as DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, and Midjourney to generate visual designs.  As we work through the design process, we will consider the role that human input and oversight should play in order to ensure that the final product is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Overall, our goal is to demonstrate the potential for AI to support the creative process and to provid