Orchestrating Sustainable Innovation: A Symphony in Sound Bites

A growing population, the narrowing gap between developed and developing nations, and rapid development in science and technology have brought about unparalleled transformation. Today the game has changed for leaders in almost every industry and sector. Old rules no longer apply, and today’s executives must think in new ways if they’re to keep their organizations economically viable. Despite that, innovation remains a challenge for many leaders. Why? Because it requires new ways of thinking, moving beyond business as usual, and solving problems more creatively.

For musicians and other artists, creativity is a given, yet very few people in business environments appreciate its value as a raw ingredient for innovation. Successful innovators are the exception, and they have a lot in common with two types of musicians: symphony orchestra conductors and jazz professionals. Like conductors, they ensure harmony and balance while building on tried-and-true practices. And like jazz musicians, they continually co-create, improvise, explore, and evolve.

Who are the 40+ “innovation virtuosos” featured in this book?

•Best-selling authors, leading business consultants, and educators from highly regarded academic institutions such as Dartmouth, INSEAD, Schulich, Wharton, and Yale

•Executives and practitioners at innovation-leading companies such as 3M, Alcoa, Amazon, GE, GlaxoSmithKline, Kimberly-Clark, Motorola, The Hershey Company, Toyota, Whirlpool, etc.

•Innovators from lesser-known organizations in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, including successful orchestra leaders, who prove that innovation can happen everywhere

Read this book cover to cover or select topics of interest. Either way you’ll see winning strategies from 6 success stories and you’ll learn about the 36 key innovation drivers and enablers described in short “sound bite” chapters. Whether you’re a C-suite business leader, educator, practitioner, consultant, or student, you’ll find thought-provoking questions and valuable takeaways. You’ll read how leading innovators stimulate and sustain innovation even after the initial novelty has worn off. And with access to the many high-impact strategies contained in this book, you’ll see how the dynamic interplay of people, processes, and partnerships drives successful innovation.

Also see what some key innovation leaders say about Orchestrating Sustainable Innovation:

“In the past, invention often dominated as the necessary and sufficient condition for innovation. Today, it’s not that simple. Innovation that matters in the 21st Century is what drives real leaders everywhere in the world. By helping readers easily understand and appreciate both the art and science of innovation, this invaluable reference book enables organizations and leaders to build and sustain cultures of innovation.” - Nicholas Donofrio, IBM Fellow Emeritus and former EVP Innovation and Technology

“This is a comprehensive, unique, and extremely valuable overview of the important components for successful, sustainable innovation. The authors have captured insight and knowledge in small “sound bites” that are easily understood and remembered. This book is a must-have for the shelves of educators as well as innovation leaders.” - Robin Karol, Ph.D., Author; former CEO of the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA); former Director of Innovation Processes at DuPont; and Faculty at the University of Delaware

“Every CEO, every board member, every stakeholder will find Orchestrating Sustainable Innovation an imperative in their leadership toolbox.” - James Amos, President and CEO of the National Center for Policy Analysis; Chairman of Procter & Gamble’s Agile Pursuits (franchising board); former Chairman of Tasti D-lite/Planet Smoothie; and Chairman Emeritus/Former CEO of Mail Boxes Etc./The UPS Store

Business > Leadership

Before functioning as the Managing Director for Innovation Outcomes, Marilyn Blocker served as a vice president at a Philips high tech incubator site in Silicon Valley and held various internal consulting and senior leadership roles at Providence Health and Services, John Hancock Financial Services, Verizon, and The Coca-Cola Company. Her primary practice roles are coaching, leadership and team development, and innovation strategy. After earning an MBA and MSM with honors from the University of Maryland, Marilyn received a certificate in Executive Management from Cornell University. She has served on a variety of senior management teams and boards; written for BusinessWeek and the University of Wisconsin; and functioned as a guest lecturer, graduate school advisor, and adjunct professor at New York University (NYU).

Megan Mitchell is the Principal of Mitchell Consulting and Program Director for the Centre of Excellence in Applied Innovation Management at Schulich Executive Education Centre, Schulich School of Business at York University. Her sales, marketing, HR, and leadership roles in Fortune 100 companies have given her a strategic lens and practical edge when consulting, facilitating, training, and providing team and one-on-one coaching. Before starting her own consulting firm, she was the Director of Innovation and Leadership Development with Johnson & Johnson Inc. and Pfizer Consumer Healthcare. Megan earned a B.A. in Honors Business Administration (HBA) from the Ivey School of Business from Western University in Ontario, Canada and holds a Master’s Certificate in Innovation Management from the Schulich Executive Education Centre at York University.

As President of Strategic Leadership Resources LLC (SLR), Andrea Zintz provides services in executive and high potential leadership strategy, succession, and development to Fortune 500 and other companies in consumer products, pharmaceuticals, electronics, consumer health care, commercial real estate, energy, advertising, medical device, defense, manufacturing and financial services. Before starting her own practice, Andrea served as Vice President of Human Resources and as a Management Board member at a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, and led executive leadership development for North America from J&J Corporate. She holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in Human and Organization Systems from Fielding Graduate University and was the recipient of the YWCA Tribute to Women in Industry.