Ninja Innovation: The Ten Killer Strategies of the World's Most Successful Businesses by Gary Shapiro is an excellent work on how to innovate given some of the classic hurdles. The author provides an important risk assessment model which encompasses exploring options, assessing the likelihood of success, seeking quality feedback and weighing consequences.
Shapiro explains the importance of having a culture of honesty, the need for quality mentoring and a perspective which requires one to think outside the box. The book is critical of the status quo indicating that the emphasis in business undertakings tends to be too short term. The author explains the importance of innovating in some industrial settings as opposed to simply dying out.
Ninja innovators empower social change. Historically, technology has been a friend of freedom by breaking down barriers to advancement. Ninjas are encouraged to use the technology to seek partners and alllies who can assist in meeting goals that otherwise might be more difficult to achieve by solo efforts.
Shapiro also discusses institutional barriers to change or innovation. He explains that large institutions tend to raise barriers against things that are not part of their tradition. His presentation explains ways to overcome these hurdles.
Ninja Innovation is an important book which explains the hurdles which innovators must overcome in bringing their ideas and products to consumers. The presentation is easy to read with many practical tips on how to navigate the implementation phase of any innovation.
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