Posts by Gijs van Wulfen
Successful Innovation is a Matter of Willpower
In his book David & Goliath, Malcolm Gladwell quotes the psychologist Jordan Peterson who argues that innovators and revolutionaries tend to have a very particular mix of personality traits [i]. “Innovators have to be open. They have to be able to imagine things that others cannot and to be willing to challenge their own preconceptions. They also…
Read More50 Quotes to Spark a Culture of Innovation in 2017
An inspiring quote is a great tool for changing a mindset. I made a personal collection of 50 outstanding quotes on change and innovation. Use them to inspire others to start a culture of change, to think different and to prioritize change and innovation at the start of 2017. 1. Nothing is stronger than habit.…
Read More10 Great Ideas That Were Originally Rejected
History has shown us that a lot of wise people haven’t been able to recognize the potential of a great idea. “This ‘telephone’ has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us.” Western Union internal memo dated 1876. “I do not believe the…
Read MoreThe Tesla of Bikes Got a Brilliant Idea
What do you do when you sell expensive products online, and they arrive at your customers damaged? You have to come up with a brilliant idea. Check it out. Products getting damaged while being shipped, was a real challenge for Dutch bicycle manufacturer VanMoof, ‘the Tesla of Bikes’. They manufacture street bikes that are at the…
Read MoreHow to Create an Innovative Business Model?
Editor’s note: Nike, the iconic change agent, perfectly symbolizes not only the energy, focus, and discipline to achieve success, but the excitement that continues to ignite individuals and companies everywhere. “Just Do It” seemed to charge out of the gate as a viral and immortal brand. Author and IX contributor, Gijs van Wulfen, guides us…
Read MoreCan You Prevent Your Idea from being Rejected?
When you have come up with great ideas the question is how to make them reality. In practice, I have learned that if they don’t fit your organizational goals, your idea will be rejected and nothing will materialize in the end. It is essential to check this fit as early as possible in your innovation…
Read More15 Outspoken Quotes on Innovation
Yes, Innovation is extremely difficult. That’s why I love it actually. My personal goal is to spark innovation by making it less complex so you, your colleagues and/or clients will be able to innovate yourself. As blogger on innovation I have written more than 200 posts. I reread them to identify15 essential innovation messages. Being Dutch makes…
Read MoreHow to Start Innovation with an Idea
The Idea Route Google, currently a company with a market capitalization of $ 500 billion, started as just an idea. In 1995, the idea for “downloading the entire web onto computers†came to Google inventor Larry Page in a dream when he was 23 years old. He claimed, “I spent the middle of that night…
Read MoreInnovation Lessons from the Troublesome Start of AIRBNB
What began as a simple idea to earn some extra income and help out travelers from out-of-town eventually took off globally. AirBnB started in 2007 and is valued now at over $ 25 billion. There are at least 3 important lessons learned from its troublesome start. Here’s their story.
Read MoreFour Routes to Simplify Innovation
The Fuzzy Front End of innovation ends when an organization approves and begins the formal development of a new concept.[i] It’s the end of the beginning. This informal start of innovation is unfortunately packed with lots of obstacles that should be avoided. To raise the effectiveness of your efforts, I like to simplify the front end of…
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