Innovate 07: Guy Kawasaki - The Art of Innovation

I just arrived at Granger Community Church for their Innovate 2007 Conference.  This is the very first time I have been to Granger.  For someone who is a church-junky like me it is almost unforgivable.  Why?  When  you think about a church that has been as creative, innovative and impact-making as Granger and is only a couple hours away should have been here before now!

Anyway, I got here right after the opening session started and Guy Kawasaki had just taken the stage.  I'm really interested in hearing what this innovation guru has to say.  I follow his blog regularly, and it has consistently great stuff . His opening session is about the Art of Innovation and he gave us the following 11 Things to Remember about the Art of Innovation. 

1. Make Meaning.
   • One of the intrinsic needs of all people is to discover meaning (just like we are talking about in our Soul Cravings series). 
2. Make Mantra.  A mission statement often too long and cumbersome.  A mantra is shorter and memorable.  Here are some examples:
   • Wendy's - "Healthy fast food"
   • Nike - "Authentic Athletic performance"
   • eBay - "Democratize commerce
3. Jump to the next curve. 
   
   • Innovators don't try to catch the curve that somebody else is on.  Innovation jumps to the next curve and creates the curve and leads the way up the curve.
4. Roll the Dicee
   • Deep - Create products that have multiple layers of depth.  A great example is a sandal made by Reef that also has a bottle opener.
   • Intelligent - Panasonic makes a flash light that takes three different sizes of batteries.  You always have a battery on hand that will fit.
   • Complete -
   • Elegant - The iPod was not the first mp3 player, but it has a distinctive elegance about it.
   • Emotive - Harley Davidson makes a motorcycle that evokes emotion and passion.
5. Don't worry, be crappy.
   • Create something incredibly innovative with elements of "crappy" in it.  You can tweak it later.
6. Polarize people.
   • Don't be afraid of upsetting some people.  The worst thing is not upsetting people; the worst is when people are indifferent and don't care!
7. Let 100 flowers blossom.
   • Often times the "wrong" people will buy our product or consume our services or show up at our church...don't fix it!!  That is a good thing!!  Kawasaki's recommendation to for profits is: "Take the money".  His recommendation to churches:  "Welcome them".
8. Churn, baby, churn.
   • Continue to crank out new products and new ideas.  Sweat!
9. Niche thyself.
   • Some of us think that marketing is a bad word.  I think marketing is an art.  Find a niche that nobody else has and create a business or church that is unique.  And make sure that unique-ness is valuable to others.
10. Follow the 10/20/30 rule.
    • 10 slides(points) is the max number of points that people can remember.
    • 20 minutes is the max time we should talk.  Use the rest for Q & A.
    • 30 size point font is the smallest.  People can't read smaller.
    • Also:  use dark background, sans serif font and fill or left justify.
11. Don't let the bozos grind you down.
    • There will always be the bozo's who will say that it can't be done or will never work.  Don't let the bozo's grind you down!

If you want even more on this topic by Guy Kawasaki check out his post The Art of Innovation.

Comments

[Jon Cannon]

Thanks Dave for the post. #11 really spoke to my heart. It seems that the Lord really SHOUTED to me, "Stop letting the bozos grind you down!" The sad thing is that I dod not even recognize the bozos, but now I have a list. I actually wrote their names down and gave them over to the Lord. Thanks again.

PS. Sorry I missed you call yesterday! Shoot me an email, I'll be out of the office until Tuesday of next week.

[KathyJ]

Great, great ideas....The points Guy makes come from the standpoint of the leader. What if you turned it around and asked "What kind of leader allows innovation to flow from his followers?" Am I the kind of leader that allows, tolerates and spawns innovation or just stifles it.

#1 Make meaning becomes encouraging others to follow the path that gives them meaning and moves toward their innovative, creative self.
#2 Mantra's give shared purpose and values within which the followers can create.
#3 The curve...there may be more curves to explore than the one you innovate. What are your followers passionate about? Is God powerful enough to handle multiple curves within the church?
#4 Too many options to comment on. You figure this one out:)
#5 Crappy becomes being a patient and tolerant leader as you delegate innovation. No one will be as perfect an innovator as you but you let them make mistakes.
#6 Your leaders may upset you!
#7 I have trouble buying into the blossoms...if we want to lead others we still need to hold fast to a set of values and mission. Weeds are one thing that we need to put up with occasionally but if we're not good stewards of the soil and fertilize we'll be overrun by innovation that doesn't mesh with our values/mission.
#8 Vision cast, vision cast, vision cast
#9 Jesus already has all the uniqueness we need. It just may be unique that we follow Him.
#10 Have a teachable spirit to learn from other's presentations.
#11 As a leader, am I a bozo? Do I stifle the leaders below me to blossom in their passions, creativity and innovation. Even as a parent, do I use my role as authority to stifle innovation in my children?

[Katrina Pelters]

These guys (the folks at Granger) are awesome! Most of what I do/teach about First Impressions comes from them!! They really get it!
Katrina