Market Innovation During Market Turmoil

Over the last few days, I have not been glued to a computer or TV screen, like many of you, watching the meltdown and then rescue of Wall Street. I was too busy.

I had to teach -- and just finished -- a one-week Executive MBA course on "market innovation" at Columbia Business School. The course was intense, yet rewarding, and, in fact, real fun.

It was rewarding and fun to watch how all of the student projects were truly focused on “big think"; Projects included: leapfrogging the existing healthcare system in a developing market; providing a green “box” (and “no box”) alternative to the existing pizza box; a "watch ‘n’ buy" launch at a major TV channel, a privacy index that tracks buyers' vulnerability to identity theft, and, finally, a project on neutraceuticals in yoghurts.

I am always amazed when I teach innovation and when I conduct short-term innovation workshop how much a team can achieve in a short time frame when there is a true focus on “big think” rather than incremental solutions.

I guess, by the end of this week, Washington has reached the same conclusion!

Comments

[Lee]

You know what, Sir, I think Mr. Obama should hear from you, `big think` might well help him out of this close chasing by McCain and make it to Washington, then finally get American back on track. This economic crisis is actually the aftermath of a republican administration, isn`t it?