Principled Innovation LLC

The IBM InnovationJam

August 5th, 2006

Let me encourage you to check out the IBM InnovationJam website, to learn more about this exciting effort, which is currently in progress. IBM conducted Phase One of the InnovationJam for three days in late July, challenging IBM employees, customers and other contributors around the world to develop new ideas in four areas: 1) travel, transportation and recreation, 2) business and commerce, 3) health and well-being and 4) environmental issues. The company is committing $100 million in development funding to move the most compelling ideas along. The second phase of the InnovationJam begins next month, and will focus on filtering and refining the Phase One concepts.

Individual associations, innovation networks involving multiple associations, and even the association community as a whole, can and should conduct their own InnovationJams. In fact, an InnovationJam would be a very exciting way to announce to your particular community that innovation is simply critical to its possibilities for future success, and that everyone connected to the organization has a role to play in making that innovation happen. Which areas of focus would you choose? We know that innovation can be extremely challenging to get off the ground, but an InnovationJam can help move your staff, members, business partners and other participants toward better collaboration from the very beginning.

Association leaders concerned with identifying innovation pathways in their organizations should look carefully at how an InnovationJam might help them succeed in a time of great complexity and growing opportunity.

Entry Filed under: Principled Innovation Blog, What's New?, Social Media, Innovation, Associations, Extreme Makeover, The Association Innovator, Simplicity