Innovation Methodologies

Google Innovation Lead and Harvard Researcher on Overcoming the Challenges to Design Thinking

‘That First Sip of Fall’: Lessons from the Creation of Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte

Goodyear and Pitney Bowes Veteran on Applying Lean Startup in Large Companies

Perkins School for the Blind CEO on Why the S-Curve Matters for Nonprofits

How Consumer Goods Companies Can Turn Everyday Users into Influencers

Google Innovation Lead and Harvard Researcher on Overcoming the Challenges to Design Thinking
‘That First Sip of Fall’: Lessons from the Creation of Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte
Goodyear and Pitney Bowes Veteran on Applying Lean Startup in Large Companies
Perkins School for the Blind CEO on Why the S-Curve Matters for Nonprofits
How Consumer Goods Companies Can Turn Everyday Users into Influencers

It’s hard to change the way large companies operate — from sourcing and developing ideas to launching them into the market — without bringing in new approaches. We don’t advocate the use of any particular innovation methodology; rather, we report on how companies are applying them and the results that they’re achieving. We also interview leading teachers and proponents of various methodologies.

Our coverage of innovation methodologies has included approaches like design thinking, lean startup, frugal innovation, the dual operating system, and the business model canvas, among others. One place to start is with our report on how the lean startup methodology is being applied in large organizations.

Articles & Case Studies

DICK’S Sporting Goods SVP on Finding a Common Language with Designers

Nina Barjesteh breaks down the process behind building the new VRST menswear brand and shares tips on finding the right time to bring ideas to senior leadership.

Creating the Psychological Safety to Innovate at PayPal

Sri Shivananda, Chief Technology Officer at PayPal, discussed how the company creates its own digital solutions, and encourages a culture that empowers innovation.

How to Apply Lean Startup at Big Companies

Slides on applying the lean startup from the former Director of Digital Innovation at a lighting manufacturer. “Lean startup is not a bible,” he writes, but “rather a recipe book…”

Tips From Capital One on Running Virtual Hackathons

Planning a virtual hackathon is much different than an in-person one, according to Jennifer Lopez of Capital One. She shares how her team worked to bring serendipity back with its virtual hackathons…

Innovating from Within: The 10 x 10 Laws

Mohan Nair has run the Innovation Force team at Cambia Health Solutions for 10 years now. He offers 10 rules to follow over 10 years in order to guide a program to success.

What Are the Do’s and Dont’s When Digitally Twinning Your Innovation Hub?

This illustration of a digital twin Innovation Utopia/Dystopia completes the trifecta of the “new normal” hybrid experience by including the virtual dimension…

Research Report

Making Lean Startup Work

Our 83-page downloadable report is filled with advice, case studies, articles, interviews, and results from our recent survey of Innovation Leader members on lean startup deployment.

Audio & Video Resources

Cartoonist Lisa Rothstein Teaches Better Communication Through Doodling

Even if you think you can’t draw — at all — this two-part workshop will help you become dramatically better at doodling in less than two hours. Your instructor is noted meeting facilitator, New Yorker columnist, and former ad agency copywriter Lisa Rothstein.

How Leading Brands Use Cognitive Diversity to Drive Innovation

Breakthrough innovation requires people with different mindsets to deliver big outcomes. And that cognitive diversity helps teams to see things differently and think differently. In this one-hour Master Class replay, learn how to collaborate with all kinds of creators: outliers, misfits, rebels, and crazy ones to envision ...

Thou Shalt Identify and Implement the Tools Needed to Innovate

From design thinking to agile to double diamond to lean, there are many innovation methodologies for corporate innovators to gain guidance from. Most often these leaders are left to their own devices to come up with the right amalgamation that will lead to success. In his fourth ...

Identificarás y Implementarás las Herramientas para Innovar

En su cuarto mandamiento en esta serie, Moisés Noreña recomienda que los equipos usen la Metodología Unificada de Innovación. La metodología tiene cinco partes.

Making Ideas Pay at Atrium Health

In this Master Class, Todd Dunn, Vice President of Innovation at Atrium Health and Tad Haas, Executive Vice President at edison365 discuss how Atrium Health designs for impact.

The New Paths to Competitive Advantage

As part of our recent Impact conference, Karim Lakhani and Navi Radjou discussed their latest ideas about the future of innovation and how they can be applied in large organizations.

Tips for Planning & Launching A Winning Program

Jill Longman, Innovation Committee Co-Chair at Med-IQ, covers how to plan and manage the successful launch of an enterprise-wide innovation program.

Digital & Business Model Transformation at Rosetta Stone

Matthew Hulett, President of Language at the company, discusses how Rosetta Stone pivoted from a physical product to a subscription service…

Innovation Solutions Showcase 2020

At our Solutions Showcase in September 2020, five of Innovation Leader’s strategic partners shared how their organizations help address the challenges of 2020.

Visual Thinking: How To Draw Your Ideas

The first step of turning ideas into reality is to visualize and draw them out. Dave Gray shares drawing tips that innovators can use to communicate their visions.

Knowers & Learners: Different Psychologies

In our “Knowers and Learners” workshop, Dan Seewald explains the different mindsets that separates these types of thinkers, pulling from concepts in psychology.

Upgrade Online Meetings: Virtual Whiteboarding

The final exercise from our “Upgrade Your Online Meetings” workshop teaches particpants how to make the most of the whiteboarding software Mural, and gives suggestions for redesiging work. Watch the video above for a detailed explanation from session leader Suzi Hamill, former Head of Design Thinking at Fidelity Investments.

Upgrading Online Meetings: Doodling to Communicate

This exercise from our “Upgrade Your Online Meetings” workshop asks participants to reflect on how they have adapted to working remotely during COVID-19. In order to share there stories, she asks that attendees draw their experience. Watch the video above for a detailed explanation from session leader Suzi Hamill, former ...