Innovation Thinking Methods

Every product and innovation team in startups and enterprises is being tasked with an emerging goal: Build original, disruptive new products that create new markets and change industries.

"Innovation Thinking Methods" encourages entrepreneurs to adopt disruptive thinking to create transformative products or services in untapped markets, often referred to as the Blue Ocean, where competition is non-existent.

This approach is about stepping away from the crowded and competitive existing markets and instead creating new demand and expanding markets.

The Discipline of 'Innovation-Thinking'

Osama A. Hashmi introduces the concept of 'innovation-thinking', a disciplined approach to generating ideas that are significantly better ('10x better') than current solutions.

This discipline is not an abstract art form but a structured method that can be learned and applied by anyone, aiming to make innovators and product teams more reliable in producing groundbreaking products.

Move Beyond Incremental Improvements

The book criticizes the current startup culture for its focus on incremental improvements, which often leads to mediocrity.

Instead, it emphasizes the need for building 'step-function' better products, which is becoming a minimum requirement for new products in the market.

A Variety of Thinking Methods

Hashmi presents over 20 different innovation thinking methods. These methods range from adopting new mindsets, framing problems and solutions differently, and borrowing concepts from other disciplines.

The book is structured as a series of statements on what works in creating real innovation, making it a quick and accessible read.

Practical and Versatile

The book is written in a conversational style, making it easy to read and understand. It is useful for entrepreneurs at any level of development and in any business, not just startups.

The methods suggested are not only beneficial for product and service development but also have additional benefits in marketing communications.

Customer-Centric and Human Approach

One of the key methods of innovation thinking is to approach business issues with a human perspective, seeing problems as a consumer might, which can lead to creative solutions. The book emphasizes a concern for the customer and a drive for disruption.

Lean Methodologies Acknowledged

While the book focuses on innovative thinking, it does not dismiss Lean methodologies entirely. Hashmi acknowledges that Lean can be useful for founders who are unsure of a concept and need to do some stealth-mode testing.

Inspirational and Aspirational

"Innovation Thinking Methods" serves as an inspiration for entrepreneurial-minded free-thinkers and experienced managers looking to create passion and change within an innovation team. It shows how to be a pioneer in your industry by rethinking industries and unlocking substantially better solutions.

In Summary,

"Innovation Thinking Methods" by Osama Hashmi is a guide for entrepreneurs and innovators to break away from conventional thinking and create groundbreaking, '10x better' products and services.

It provides a framework for thinking that challenges the status quo and encourages a deep understanding of systems to unlock innovative solutions.

The book is a call to action for building a future where innovation is not just incremental but transformative, reshaping industries and creating new markets.

Would you recommend this book? Would you read it yourself? Please join the conversation and leave your comments below!

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Joe Calasan