A study of 700 companies showed that only 25 percent of managers believe their organizations are competent at both strategy and innovation.
The common denominator for both strategy and innovation is insight. Insight is described as the joining together of two or more pieces of information or data in a unique way to come up with a new approach, product, service or solution that delivers value. Insights come from the ability to wade through the waves of input we receive each day and mentally connect the dots in new and creative ways. As Apple founder Steve Jobs remarked, “Creativity is just connecting things.”
A study of 5,560 executives at 47 companies shows that the most important trait for managers in high-performing companies is the ability to come up with insights. Prolific inventor James Dyson built his billion-dollar business through insights on what frustrated people. His first significant invention—the Ballbarrow—was a wheelbarrow that used a ball instead of a wheel. This insight came from the frustration people had with the wheels getting stuck in the mud and rendered useless. Dyson recounted how insight also fueled the birth of his famous vacuum:
“Sometimes you see a bit of technology working in one application and you wonder whether that might solve the problem that’s been gnawing at your brain. That’s how the vacuum cleaner worked. I went to a lumberyard one day to buy some tinder and saw these massive 30-foot high cyclones collecting the sawdust on top of the roof. So I rushed home and started building small cyclones.”
INSIGHT LEADS TO BOTH INNOVATION AND STRATEGY
Innovation, defined simply as creating new value for customers, begins with an insight. The insight often centers on a solution to a problem or a way to fulfill an unmet need of a customer. To create new value, you need this insight.
Business strategy is defined as the intelligent allocation of limited resources through a unique system of activity to outperform the competition in serving customers. The only way to intelligently allocate resources is to have strong insight into how your product or service provides value to customers in ways that are different than competitive offerings. Doing the same things in the same way as the competition is a common formula for bankruptcy. Just ask Borders or Circuit City.
A rich source of strategic innovation is the ability for leaders to move out of their strict mindset of providing either a product or a service, and instead look at the other category as an opportunity to develop their own complementors before outsiders do.
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
