Innovation Tools: The most successful techniques to innovate cheaply and effectively

This is a good well written book but has a lot of information, perhaps a bit too much. Information overload. I didn't know how to take what was written and apply it to my daily life. The book has a lot of where we are and how we got there - but me personally - I'd like some specifics - give me examples, show me exactly what to do and let me run with that. 4 stars

A thorough review of the tools and approaches you can take to bring an innovative idea into being. There is a constant shift in perspective between the innovator and the investor, but at very early-stage innovations there's a lot of synergy there, and if you're an entrepreneur it's handy to know what your angel is looking for.A caution for you in reading the book is that you will not find out how to have a great idea or what great ideas to have; the book says as much in its title and in the internal text. Its point is to let you know that in the 21st Century there are many more ways to get a good idea into play than seeking permission from a corporate bureaucracy.You can get other people to validate and even contribute the initial ideas; you can build products yourself or even get others to build it via crowd-sourcing; you can get crowd-funding or you can create collaborative ventures. This book provides ample descriptions of the tools and mechanisms available to take any of those routes.Probably the only weakness I'd cite is that the last chapter urges cross-corporate cooperation as the grand solution for many evils, including the sky-rocketing cost and occasional malpractices of drug research. It would reduce the risk inherent in such investments, and thereby release R&D money to create even more innovation while reducing the incentives to cheat. But he has to concede that the prescription hasn't actually been applied anywhere, so it's still just a theory. For myself, I believe that people who are already millionaires but remain wiling to gamble with other people's lives to make yet another buck aren't very likely to acquire a moral compass just because you make it easier to do the right thing. They'll find some other way to cheat because that's what they do.In reality, grand policy doesn't much matter to 99% of entrepreneurs or investors. This is a solid read on what's happening in your world today.I received a complimentary Kindle copy of this book for the purpose of reviewing it. That had no impact on my assessment. Actions speak louder: I'll be citing it in my forthcoming book, the next in the  Let It Simmer: Making Project, Portfolio and Program Management Practices Stick in a Skeptical Organization  series, on risk management.

Book ReviewInnovation Tools by Evan ShellshearWhen we read the title, Innovation Tools, we expect a factual detailing of how to succeed in innovation.When we read the pages, we’re caught up in an ambiance of innovation. Shellshear literally takes us into the Room of Innovation so we see, hear, feel, taste, and even smell innovation. He begins with the innovation of the era of innovation and we experience innovation open like a flower. Shellshear invites us to come on board for the voyage.We eyeball risk and feel empowered to move past that frightening gaze. We are encouraged to begin with low cost; crowd-source when necessary; network at all times.The innovation tools themselves are clearly presented, nuanced with the reality of the process. He asks the questions that emerge from each tool and answers each one with a practicality that we know that we will need when the going gets tough. A wide range of the human disciplines impart the skills that are essential for success.Innovation Tools progresses from story to story as Shellshear paints his big picture. The stories inspire us to enter the cauldron of innovation courageously and join the stories of those who have innovated not just our products and procedures, but who we are today.Dr Alan Gordon

If taking chances and accepting risk are key components of the innovation process, then innovation itself is about learning how to minimize those risks to maximize the chances of success. Innovation Tools explores a wide range of approaches for doing just that.This book is a great read for companies looking to either jump start their own innovation program or add proven techniques to their innovation arsenal.From engaging the crowd, tapping into the hacker community, overcoming behavioral innovation biases, using open access information and leveraging cloud computing, Innovation Tools helps you improve your odds of innovation success.In his book, Mr. Shellshear suggests that de-risking innovation has the positive side effect of encouraging more people to innovate (and succeed at it) more often. The flip side to this, which should serve as a call to action for many is that as the pace of innovation accelerates, those companies who fail to make innovation one of their core competencies face an ever greater risk of being out competed and rendered obsolete.

While the focus of the book is on tools, these are not to be confused with methods. Instead, low-cost tools such as crowdfunding, online collaboration, used in the modern era where we connect with people across the world to build ideas and get them to spread.It has a lot of information on how innovation works and gets done in the information age.A valuable contribution to the innovation literature.

This book really takes things to a new level. I really love what Evan shares in this book and his way of explain tools to reduce the risk of failure early is great. The more successful innovative ideas are the more funding and investing they will get. So simple yet so powerful for long term sustainability and growth to the innovation sector. Think about what your industry will be like in 20 years from now and this book will help you move to the new era of the world.

Whether you are a novice or experienced intrapreneur, this book is probably more than you need for kick-starting innovation projects on the cheap.The book flows naturally and is packed with a ton of real life innovation projects from companies that “been there, done that” which makes it easier to grasp quickly the book’s key concepts.Delighted that I picked this book…highly recommended!

A very interesting and insightful book. Highly recommend it, for business or for yourself!

Longwinded and boring. I learned very little and lost the will to continue.

Can creativity be taught? The jury is out there. I have been working with some of the bright minds in their early twenty's but I find it extremely difficult to teach creative thinking in spite of enough books available in the market-space. One the reasons why Creative Thinking is important is because it has a direct impact on innovations. This becomes more so important as innovations drive the world economy. Understanding risks related to your innovative idea is as important. The author Evan tackles it beautifully in this book. The book is a step-by-step guide, if I may say, for an innovative thinker to dwell-upon before (s)he takes the next step. The book is simple, easy to connect and covers almost every aspect of risks including risks related with the relatively newer concepts of behavioral economics.The only thing missing in the book for me was a direct reference to an economy such as India where resources are limited... but again, you are expected to work on drawing your own parallels.... and that's what the author forces you to do.I strongly recommend this book to every entrepreneur and Intrapreneur, especially if you are are about to start your journey.

I really enjoyed reading this book for three reasons:1) content - the book covers extremely relevant content for all people in business, who want to be prepared for the future. Reading the book gives a solid knowledge base from my point of view.2) saving time - reading the book is like pressure fueling. You usually simply do not have time to collect and structure all the content available in the book. Very convenient for those, who want to stay up to date, but have little time.3) Language and intros - the book uses an easy to digest language. Also, almost each topic starts with a brief intro. These intros allow everyone to connect the "old world" with the "new world" ahead. This helps to understand the big picture.