Lessons from IDEO, New Product Design Company

① Search Constantly

Browse, constantly search for new ideas and → inspiration: make constant browsing of journals, books, newspapers and Internet your habit and an integral part of your → corporate culture. Browse the aisles at your favorite bookstore and make a practice of looking at sections you've never checked out before. You'd be surprised at how much you can learn about the latest trends by scanning titles and book jackets.  >>>

② Look Wider

Don't focus too much on → your competitors – spend as much time learn from noncompetitive industries as well. Knowing the start of the art or the soon-to-be state of the art in one industry can give you a jump in your chosen field.  >>>

③ Observe People

Observe customers and noncustomers, especially enthusiasts.  >>>

④ Build Bridges

Build bridges from one department to another, from your company to your prospective customers, and ultimately from the present to the future.  >>>

⑤ Make Ideation a Habit

→ Live innovation: get involved in many innovative projects to acquire a unique perspective on the future, get a sense of the holistic nature of → change, and learn → how things evolve.  >>>

⑥ Brainstorm Constantly

→ Brainstorm like crazy.  >>>  → 3Bs of Strategic Creativity