Why do some companies succeed at innovation while others fail?
In the winter issue of Innovation, the quarterly journal of the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA), Insight's Director of Research Ross Teague and Director of Design Strategy Meredith Wilson take an unconventional look at innovation within companies. Their article argues that not all people or companies who aspire to be innovative can be.
In the article, "The Realities of Being Innovative: Flatliners, Steppers and Zoomers," Teague and Wilson divide companies into three categories. Flatliners are companies with no innovation approach, while Steppers are companies that are actively trying to introduce innovation into their companies but have only experienced limited success. Zoomers are the companies or individuals who are truly innovative and are always a step ahead of their competition.
After years of experience working with companies all over the innovation spectrum, Teague and Wilson know why some companies are able to be innovative while others struggle - because innovation stems from people and culture versus methods and practices.