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In this terrific book from IDEO general manager Tom Kelley (brother of founder David Kelley), IDEO finally delivers–but thankfully not in the step-by-step, flow-chart-filled “process speak” of most how-you-can-do-what-we-do business books. Sure, there are some good bulleted lists to be found here–such as the secrets of successful brainstorming, the qualities of “hot teams,” and, toward the end, 10 key ingredients for “How to Create Great Products and Services,” including “One Click Is Better Than Two” (the simpler, the better) and “Goof Proof” (no bugs).But The Art of Innovation really teaches indirectly (not to mention enlightens and entertains) by telling great stories–mainly, of how the best ideas for creating or improving products or processes come not from laboriously organized focus groups, but from keen observations of how regular people work and play on a daily basis.
What does it take to turn ideas into action? What are the elements of a perfect pitch? How do you win the war for talent? How do you establish a brand without bucks? These are some of the issues everyone faces when starting or revitalizing any undertaking, and Guy Kawasaki, former marketing maven of Apple Computer, provides the answers.The Art of the Start will give you the essential steps to launch great products, services, and companies—whether you are dreaming of starting the next Microsoft or a not-for-profit that’s going to change the world. It also shows managers how to unleash entrepreneurial thinking at established companies, helping them foster the pluck and creativity that their businesses need to stay ahead of the pack. Kawasaki provides readers with GIST—Great Ideas for Starting Things—including his field-tested insider’s techniques for bootstrapping, branding, networking, recruiting, pitching, rainmaking, and, most important in this fickle consumer climate, building buzz.
The best way to debunk myths about start-up business is to tell thetruth: You have to be crazy to start a business. Entrepreneurs live atthe complex intersection of business, financial health, physicalwell-being, spiritual wholeness, and family life. Tidbits of insightwill vaporize isolation, encourage self-reflection, and refresh thespirit of anyone running their own business.
Bestselling author Michael J. Gelb and Sarah Miller Caldicott introduce a carefully researched, easy-to-apply system of the five success secrets inspired by the creative methods of Thomas Alva Edison. The greatest innovator in American history, Edison set the stage for America’s global leadership in innovation by his focus on practical accomplishment. Now Gelb and Caldicott apply the best practices of this American genius to contemporary business situations to help today’s leaders harness their own innovative potential. Innovate Like Edison is a blueprint for success that will enable executives and entrepreneurs to revitalize their own ingenuity and thrive in today’s culture of innovation.
In Silicon Valley slang, a “bozo explosion” is what causes a lean, mean, fighting machine of a company to slide into mediocrity. As Guy Kawasaki puts it, “If the two most popular words in your company are partner and strategic, and partner has become a verb, and strategic is used to describe decisions and activities that don’t make sense” . . . it’s time for a reality check.

Provocative, useful, and very funny, this “no bull shiitake” book will show you why readers around the world love Guy Kawasaki.
The Kuczmarskis, a pair of business consultants, trainers and authors, deliver a lackluster primer on the personal and managerial strategies of 25 people from many walks of life. A few are famous, such as Dean Kamen (inventor of the Segway scooter), Craig Newmark (founder of Craigslist, the Internet classified ad service) and actress Susan Anton. Most are less well-known CEOs, political activists, educators, arts administrators and someone who calls himself an esoteric healer. But for such an eclectic group, there are few unusual insights. Most of their ideas come across as platitudes about the importance for leaders of such traits as humility, compassion, transparency and inclusiveness. Many of the anecdotes and inspirational homilies are retreads, though a few are intriguing—for example, the story of how Rep. Jan Schakowsky got started in public life as a crusader for freshness dating on food packages. But even interesting stories often lack a compelling point—Schakowsky’s tale, for example, appears in a chapter about encouraging one’s colleagues. This attempt to offer chicken soup for the leader’s soul provides thin gruel
The Business Innovation book, with Foreword by Dipak Jain, Dean, Kellogg School of Management, provides a framework for process of innovation in corporations for introducing new products, services, or solutions faster.** Features — Powerful new framework called Brinnovation™; Types of innovation: Fundament, Platform, Derivative, and Variation; Management of Innovation; Measures of innovation.** Table of Contents — Part I. Evolving Innovation — History, Tools, creativity, innovation on demand; Part II. Understanding Innovation — Brain processes, Framework, Deployment, Measures; Part III. Institutionalizing Innovation — Service, Protecting, Commercializing, and Managing Innovation; Wisdom of Innovation by Bob Galvin, Former Chairman/CEO of Motorola.**