The Innovation Drain

I’ve previously talked about the Innovation Superstar. One of the Superstar’s most prevailing and destructive foes is the Innovation Drain. If you’re involved in innovation it’s likely you will have come across the Drain: an individual who is involved (with some responsibility) in the innovation programme but who will go out of their way to … Continue reading »

Everyone Is Not A Product Manager

You see it everywhere: customers demand features, sales say they can’t sell unless something is added, developers introduce random changes without anyone else knowing they are coming. Giving feedback and suggestions is essential for a company’s product to grow and develop, but having knowledge of the wider strategy and putting proper thought behind each change … Continue reading »

A few more interesting links (January 2012)

A year ago I listed links to some interesting articles I had read. Others found them useful, so here are a few more: Design The golden age of design in startups – “Well, folks, your time has come. Not only do you have a seat at the table…you’ve got a starring role. There is no … Continue reading »

“Reality is Broken”- teasers

I recently finished Jane McGonigal’s “Reality is Broken”- a book which discusses game design, improving lives, and changing the world. Sound grand? Yes, but McGonigal presents a strong argument. Far from being the downfall of a generation, the writer argues that video games are enabling collaboration on a scale previously unseen, and that through this … Continue reading »

Three tips on getting gamification right

Gamification is hot news- and getting hotter (as articles like this on the company Gigya suggest). The concept is far more complex than simply adding badges or virtual currency to a website, however. The brief tips below, from Daniel Debow of Rypple (in this article), are useful for those thinking about introducing game mechanics: 1. It’s not … Continue reading »

Amplify 2011: stimulating – challenging – echoing?

Far too many conferences continue to be very standard, with run-of-the-mill circuit speakers talking about uncontroversial topics and no effort to really stimulate attendees or make use of them being in the same place at the same time. Such events are often little more than marketing activities, and are at best talking-shops. The UK government’s … Continue reading »