In the simplest terms, Christopher W. Miller says, innovation is a process rather than an event. That means companies that decide they need to introduce a new product or service to market in order to be successful can prompt their employees to come up with innovative ideas instead of just waiting for them to happen.
Miller's Lancaster consulting firm, Innovation Focus, assembles teams at client companies and prompts these teams to identify what technological resources are available to them and whether they are best positioned to launch a new product or service. “Then we flip it and we say, 'What does the world need?' ” Miller says.
One of Miller's favorite stories is of working with Hershey to develop new takes on its classic Kiss candy. In the 1980s the company knew that customers' taste buds would die as they aged, so they would want more complex flavors. That realization led to Kisses with almonds and Hugs, which combine chocolate with white cream.
Miller is especially excited about a current project with the American Pharmacists Association, which aims to improve care for people with Type 2 diabetes. The key to enabling people with diabetes and pre-diabetes to live full, healthy lives is for patients to have a regular connection with a professional advisor, he says. Pharmacists are often in the best position to take this role because they see patients regularly and collaborate with doctors and other professionals. “We're going to kill Type 2 diabetes,” Miller says. “We're going to beat it.”
Source: Christopher W. Miller, Innovation Focus
Writer: Rebecca VanderMeulen