When I started my firm, I never thought too much about what it would be like to be self-employed. Now, three years in, I know it's the best decision I ever made. People ask me all the time if I'm going to apply for this job or that job, and I always say, "I already have the best job in the world. I get to do work I love, for people that I like, with people I respect."

Now, I also like being on my own, but I'm thankful for the many communities that I'm a part of that form an extended family. There's the innovation community, both here in Maine and nationally. In Maine, there's the MCED community and all the folks that care about entrepreneurship here and there's the renewable energy and clean tech community. But mostly, there's the Innovation Engineering community.

The coolest thing about the IE community is that it is virtual. Many, many folks in this community care are laser-focused on innovation and its ability to change the trajectory of individual organizations and communities, and they are located all over the country and around the world. I have met some of them; others I only know through our Brain Brew Café blog. Yet, I know they are out there, ready to help when I have a question, or offer encouragement and new ideas when I am stuck.

But the most important thing about Innovation Engineering is that it is an opportunity to learn something new, to try something you have never tried, to go big. Here's a great story:

"Years ago, when Ken Stabler was a quarterback for the Raiders, a newspaperman said, "Ken, I want to read you something Jack London wrote: 'I would rather be ashes than dust. I would rather that my spark burn out in a brilliant blaze than be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me a magnificent glow, than a sleepy, crumbling planet. For the proper function of man is to live, not exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.'"And the reporter then asked Stabler: "What does that mean to you, Kenny?"Without hesitating, Stabler said: "Throw deep!"

Michael Wagman

Advertising Age January 30, 1986   

Innovation Engineering is about throwing deep, going for the end zone, but knowing that you have practice, athleticism, the know-how and know-what behind you to make it happen.

I hope that you will join me on the Innovation Engineering journey. It's a way to make our dreams of a stronger economy real, one organization at a time.

Cathy

Six Clues Your Innovation Process is Broken

1. Innovation is episodic.
2. The process is invented from scratch (every time).
3. Resources are held hostage.
4. Innovations are force-fit into existing structures.
5. Applying the same criteria to innovations as you do existing business.
6. Insisting on innovations meeting their plans.

Read more HERE.

Eleven Ways Big Companies Undermine Innovation

1. No definition of success - what is the problem or opportunity that the innovation is aimed at?
2. Too much insistence on instant success, no time for experimentation.
3. The CIO becomes the Chief Innovation Officer.
4. It's the CEO's thing, only.
5. Insisting that innovation can happen in cubicles, with no space to foster creativity.
6. Innovations that threaten existing business are killed.
7. Too short-term focused.
8. Fear of releasing alpha or test versions to see what the market thinks.
9. Only use ideas that come from within the organization.
10. Failure to be avoided at all costs.
11. Lack of long-term commitment.

This list is from Harvard Business Review (HERE). If you want to assess your innovation culture, contact me.

Patent Reform Divides Tech Community

Patent reform legislation is gaining momentum on Capital Hill, but is dividing members of the technology sector. At issue are patent infringement lawsuits that are deemed frivolous. So-called "patent trolls" sue patent holders for infringement, seeking settlements from companies that don't have the resources to fight them in court. Current law is particularly difficult for software firms. Major software companies like Microsoft and IBM are against the proposed changes because they would require the Patent Office to review patent infringement suits related to software. These companies believe that the Patent Office would take too long to act. But all tech companies are united in the belief that there should be financial consequences for patent infringement lawsuits that are found to be frivolous.

In related news, the National Venture Capital Association reported that growth in the number of patent "assertions" facing startup companies is hampering US venture capital. Eighty percent of VC respondents to a survey note that the number of suits has increased over the past five years. Three-quarters of VCs and 58 percent of startup companies reported that patent demands had a significant impact on their company, with the cost of preparing for and defending against demands exceeding $100,000.