Insights

Innovation Conversations

Let’s have a conversation – An Innovation Conversation

Why should you read The Innovation Conversation? So, I’m in. It’s been 8 years in my head; far too long if I am being truthful to myself. I’d like you to be In too. Why not join me to share one idea about innovation management, once a week that just might help us all improve? … Read more

resilience through innovation

In Times of Crisis: Build Business Resilience Through Innovation

How can you build resilience through innovation? Resilience isn’t about bouncing back. It’s about launching forward—stronger, smarter, and more strategically aligned. When disruption hits; pandemic, war, inflation, AI shocks, supply chain breakdown, it exposes what a business really runs on. Is it inertia, or intent? Flexibility, or fear? Strategy, or scrambling? The past few years … Read more

WEBINAR SOCIAL CARD: SILOS TO SYNERGY

Rethinking innovation with Domino Printing: A video case story of innovative growth and resiliance

An Innovation Transformation project from start to finish This video series takes you from start to finish on a transformation project. Explore how Domino Printing Sciences transformed its innovation system, bringing excitement and collaboration and driving impactful results across a range of new technology and innovation projects. IfM Engage’s Associate, Rob Munro, talks to Domino … Read more

Cambridge 2025

Reflections on IfM’s Rethinking Innovation Conference 2025

I attended the Institute for Manufacturing’s Rethinking Innovation Conference on a sunlit spring day in Cambridge – and I have to say, it was an enlightening experience. The serene, walled enclave provided a temporary respite from all the chaos that seems to be happening in the world right now. These events not only provide an … Read more

INDUSTRY

Why the UK keeps getting Industrial Policy all wrong

The UK Industrial Policy must be a ‘system’ not a project They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. If that’s true, UK industrial policy might just be a textbook case. In the last 50 years, I’ve watched the UK launch industrial strategy after industrial strategy – … Read more

mastering business ecosystem mapping

Master your business ecosystem for innovation success

Master your business ecosystem to create more value and achieve competitiveness No business operates in a vacuum. It’s always part of a larger system that involves a web of stakeholders, trends, and external influences. And understanding and managing these interactions is key to driving growth and creating more value for your customers. The idea of … Read more

innovation stakeholders

Innovation Ecosystem Mapping – Unlocking the power of collaboration

Ecosystem mapping is a key tool for technology-intensive organisations. It can help you identify and collaborate with the right partners, understand your customers’ needs, and uncover new growth opportunities. However, driving innovation within such complex environments is not always simple. It requires a deep understanding of the ecosystem in which an organisation operates and finding … Read more

innovation trends 2025 from innovation roundtable

Innovation Trends in 2025: Challenges and Emerging Themes from the Innovation Roundtable

What are the Innovation Trends for 2025? There are many innovation conferences, but an interesting one is the Innovation Roundtable. This year, it took place on the 5-7 November in Copenhagen and gathered over 700 innovation leaders to network, share experiences and create a strong foundation for their innovation strategy. Although I didn’t attend this … Read more

Use cases for strategic roadmapping

10 Use Cases for Strategic Roadmapping: The Innovator’s Best Friend

Strategic Roadmapping examples in ACTION The strategic roadmap is one of THE best tools for strategic planning. It’s fast, flexible and agile to many needs. This article outlines ten Use Cases and their success factors. If you are a business leader who wants to create options of map uncertainty; it works.  If you are a … Read more

Flexible blue pencil isolated on white background.

Does Innovation need a Rethink?

As an innovation leader, I found that finding high-quality learning events was always a challenge. After 11 years of running my consultancy, the offers have improved in number and depth.  The professionalisation of the Innovation Manager role is gaining momentum. Just before the summer, I was host of a Roundtable at the Innovation Rethink in … Read more

This is the sign you have been looking for

Don’t leave innovation to chance: the role of serendipity

Photo by Austin Chan on Unsplash. The role of serendipity in innovation roadmapping In the summer of 1926 an American husband and wife, Mr and Mrs Stimpson visited Kyoto. They loved the ancient city with its architecture and history and it made quite the impression. Nineteen years later, Henry Stimpson was Secretary of War under … Read more