Concrete Innovation - Converting Strategic Intent to Tactical Advantage in the “New Normal”

Concrete Innovation is a new Ebook by Chris Miller and Gary Graziano.

From the Foreword:

The Great Recession of 2008-10 is nearing its bottom as we put this book together, providing us with a rare opportunity to review, rethink, and reinvent our innovation strategy in anticipation of a fundamental and sustained shift in the economic climate. Asking “What is the purpose of your innovation strategy?” is very difficult to do – even if you know it must be done – when you are fully focused on riding a bull market without falling off. During this down time in the pen, however, we can search our souls and ask what we could have done, and indeed, how we will think and act differently the next time we get into the ring.  What we know about the “new normal” reality is limited but clear – here is just a sample:
· Manufactured product represents just 18% of our US economy; is shrinking; and is likely to have a slower than average recovery.
· Healthcare represents 17% of our economy; has continued to expand through the recession; and is likely to continue to grow at its pre-recession rate.
· The American population is aging as a whole; has lowered its expectations about retirement; and appears to have come to terms with staying on the job.  Interestingly the longer we work, the happier and healthier we will be (AARP).
· Goods, on the whole, have become carriers for service delivery.
· Knowledge is king; the king is expected to serve all the people, all the time, right now, and for free.
· The Chinese are investing an astonishing amount of effort and resources in innovation. Their production of skilled engineers dwarfs anything the US can hope to achieve. China is the world’s largest English-speaking country.

How you respond to these and other facts and challenges is a choice. We have to admit it is tempting to dig a hole, jump in and pull a rock over our heads. Many will react to the potentially difficult challenges, new business, and personal futures imposed by The Great Recession by retreating to the seeming safe haven of the good old days and more of what worked well for them in the past. This book suggests an alternative and conservative approach to the future – one that will likely demand that business be more attractive, and that business and individuals be more environmentally and economically sustainable.

· Attractive: We must all be more attractive to our customers but stockholders will likely be seeing value on a deeper level as well. We will have to fight for the minds and hearts of our customers, employees, and stockholders.
· Sustainable: Stockholders will become long-term greedy.

Employees will be looking to work longer and will seek employers who make this possible. Clearly we have to share the planet; and our product and policy must reflect this. Concrete Innovation is a small effort to ask you to step back and think – now. The book starts with your personal and organizational attitude toward looking at the world differently and acting on what you see. It continues with a four article series that will take you on a journey from strategy to tactics. Make no mistake; the end point must be informed action that effects necessary change. Those who hide in a hole will be buried in the “new normal” that is upon us.

If you would like us to send you a hard copy click here to contact and ask for a Concrete Innovation Booklet. If you’d like to just download a PDF, click here.