Distraction Until It Pays off? - Managing Time and Timing in Innovation

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Comment by Liisa Välikangas on May 27, 2011 at 8:36am

Hi, Here are some ideas and articles for background on discussing time, innovation an distractions:

 

1. John Kay on Obliquity - that is, how sometimes it is more effective to pursue objectives indirectly than head on. For example, maximizing profits is a direct objective, satisfying customers an indirect one (or oblique one) to get to profits, as a simplistic example.

 

2. The Golden Spur by L. Välikangas and Q. Jett - this article is about working as "amateurs" for innovation endeavours, that is, doing things for "the love of them" (amour) (See Valikangas & Jett article in Strategy & Leadership, 2006)

3. The notion of serendipity - finding something you are not looking for, serendipitously. 

Comment by Hans Gaertner on May 25, 2011 at 8:45pm

One of the movements to make creative time "politically correct" in organizations that are driven by the output thinking is "Design Thinking". Creativity is an integral part of product development, service development and even strategy developpment. One of the prominent representatives is Roger Martin of the Rotman School in Toronto. His recent book The Design of Business is quite helpful

Comment by Inge Jansen on May 20, 2011 at 10:33am

Thanks Liisa. I like your comment on combining serendipitous thoughts and events. Sometimes I realise that I am too busy with my to-do list and ignore all the other ideas that pop up in my mind. It's a challenge, to finish the tasks you have to do and dedicate time and effort for innovating, creative processes. Interesting, hope your workshop will give some inspiration and food for reflection.   

Comment by Liisa Välikangas on May 20, 2011 at 7:18am

You ask a good question about time. Not sure I can give a lot of productivity hints - for me being able to tap and combine serendipitous thoughts and events is a key to being able to accomplish things beyond specific plans. My point about distractions, which these are of course, is that innovation activity requires a lot of tolerance from such distractions and even understanding. A good manager, for example, is able to put up with people with lots of ideas amidst daily hurry because some of these ideas may grow to be very significant.

Comment by Inge Jansen on May 18, 2011 at 4:58pm

Hi Liisa, what an interesting topic! It really triggers me to think about my own way of working, and about how I perceive and present my productivity and results. I am curious learn how I can think about time in a different way, but don't have a clue what to think of. Any chance of an indication or small hint already?   

Comment by Liisa Välikangas on April 14, 2011 at 5:55pm

Please join my innovation as distraction session (until it pays off, sic!). But how to persist until that time?