TAO OF INNOVATION, THE: NINE QUESTIONS EVERY INNOVATOR MUST ANSWER - Hardcover

Seow, Hsien-Yeang; Tan, Toyofuku Sue-Tze; Tan, Teng-Kee

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1783266201 ISBN 13: 9781783266203

Publisher: Imperial College Press, 2014

Synopsis

The Tao of Innovation is the first book to blend Eastern philosophy with tried-and-true innovation strategies. It presents a holistic, intuitive and practical approach to developing game-changing innovation.Having over 30 years of real-world global corporate, entrepreneurial, and consulting experience, and more than 10 years of teaching innovation and entrepreneurship to thousands of students in the East and West, the authors have distilled the most influential thinking on innovation into a holistic set of nine key innovation questions that every innovator must answer throughout the innovation cycle. These provocations apply to any business or organization and illuminate fundamental principles and practices of successful innovation. The Tao of Innovation's use of nature's fundamental elements and the yin-yang's balance of opposing forces as metaphors, provide simple ways to navigate the complexities of business and innovation. They blend art, science, and Eastern and Western philosophies of what it takes to be an innovator.This book is written for individuals who have a passion for initiating change but struggle to find a process or methodology that helps them translate their dream into practical action steps that will get them through implementation. It aims to help organizations of all types proactively stay ahead in a rapidly changing world and change the world for the better.In short, this book is a fresh East-meets-West approach to innovation, helping readers develop a strategy to implement real change and ultimately achieve their innovation dream.

About this title

About the Author

Teng-Kee Tan, PhD, is the former dean of the Henry W Bloch School of Management, University of Missouri, Kansas City. He has a BComm from Nanyang University, Singapore, an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, and a PhD from the Judge Institute of Management Studies, University of Cambridge. He has been a visiting scholar at Harvard Business School and a visiting professor at China's Nanjing University and Xiamen University. Dr Tan has combined decades of international corporate experience, entrepreneurial success, and a passion for transformational education to propel the Bloch School of Management to a top-tier institution in the United States in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation. He has directed and taught in senior executive programs around the globe, including the United States, Europe, Singapore, and throughout China. He has consulted for a diverse range of clients across the different types of industries including the consumer products industry. Dr Tan is the founder of one of the world's first MSc program in Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship. He has also received many teaching awards because he combines the innovation pedagogy of world-renowned academic theory with applied, practical lessons for real-world entrepreneurs and innovators. His life's work is to help illuminate the art and science of innovation to transform individuals and institutions to create a positive, meaningful impact.Hsien Seow, PhD, is a health services researcher and academic at McMaster University, where he teaches palliative care and health system innovation. He is an associate professor in the Department of Oncology, Canada Research Chair in palliative care, cancer, and health system innovation, and Escarpment Cancer Research Institute scientist. He conducts health care research and health care policy reform. He has consulted with health care organizations, regional planners, and ministries of health about health system change across North America. He has taught health system innovation and research methods at McMaster University and the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. Dr Seow has a BSc in biology from Yale University and a PhD from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. He is currently writing a book focused on health care innovation using the Tao of Innovation principles.Sue Tan Toyofuku is a seasoned design and innovation consultant with executive leadership experience ranging from start-up ventures to Fortune 500 corporations. She began her career as a design strategist and researcher at IDEO, the world's top design and innovation firm, and pioneers of the human-centered design thinking methodology. She has consulted for clients across a diverse range of industries, from governments to consumer goods, health care to hospitality and services all over the world. After seven years of consulting in the United States and Asia, she joined the start-up world, serving as Chief Marketing Officer of a mobile app and technology company. She holds a BFA in Industrial Design from the University of Washington, and an MSc in Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Singapore's Nanyang Technological University.

Review

"Described as an "action plan to help develop strategy to achieve your innovation dream," this unusual and useful workbook patiently takes readers from evaluating an opportunity to scaling a business. Tan, working with Toyofuku and Seow (his daughter and nephew, respectively), focuses on nine questions that innovators must ask and answer along the way, including, "How is the nature of your business going to change?" and "What drives you to innovate?" Chapters are categorized according to the eight elements of Taoism, such as fire (which illuminates) and thunder (which shakes), so, right away, readers will realize this isn't your everyday Ivy League business book. Instead, it's full of simple graphics and meaningful examples, from Curves Fitness and China's Xiaoi (a "mobile Internet startup turned superstar") to the ubiquitous Starbucks. The authors take readers through a complex process, sprinkling hints and do-it-yourself exercises throughout each chapter. Less adventurous readers may find this all a bit "out there," particularly when reading about "addressing real-world tensions through the tao." But anyone willing to try a new flavor of business innovation will be richly rewarded." -- Publishers Weekly

"The Tao of Innovation offers a fresh East-meets-West perspective on how organizations and individuals can live up to their creative best." -- Tom Kelley, Partner, IDEO and best-selling author of The Art of Innovation and Creative Confidence

"Dr Teng-Kee Tan and his co-authors, Dr Hsien Seow and Sue Tan Toyofuku have a powerful grasp on what it takes to become a highly successful innovator. For those who have the courage, commitment and passion to innovate, this book will support them on their journey to transform the world." -- Tom Bloch, Former President and CEO of H&R Block, Inc, Co-Founder, University Academy

"This is an excellent business and innovation book using a simple and intuitive framework to capture nine key questions all innovators must ask. The authors identified important dilemmas in each innovation question and proposed solutions to help reconcile the dilemmas we often face in the world of innovation. They talk about 'Innovation with Purpose' which deals with what drives and sustains innovation which I think is very important to advance human civilization in our global environment. I strongly recommend this book for learners, doers and enablers of innovation." -- Henry W Bloch, Co-Founder, H & R Block

"Drawing on his decades of experience in business and education, Dean Teng-Kee Tan shows the way to innovation. This is an invaluable read from a remarkable individual." -- Robert L Virgil, Retired Partner, Edward Jones, Dean Emeritus, John M Olin School of Business, Washington University in St. Louis

"This remarkable book deals with using 'human centered — design thinking' as an important innovation process and mindset to help develop consumer insights and identify higher order needs which is often unarticulated. It is a must read for entrepreneurs, startups, innovators from all industries, for profit or non-profit enterprises. I strongly recommend it." -- Shuming Zhao, Chair Professor and Honorary Dean, School of Business, Nanjing University, China

"The insights provided by The Tao of Innovation are transformative and indispensable. It is a superb textbook for innovation management courses." -- Dr Michael Song, Ranked as World's No. 1 Innovation Management Scholar

"This is an expression of Teng Kee's vision for incorporating design thinking and experiential learning in innovation that has attracted attention from all disciplines of higher education and corporations." -- Steve McDowell, President BNIM Architects, AIA Award Winner

"This book reconciles real-world tensions in innovation that can be applied immediately." -- Charles Hampden-Turner, Senior Research Associate, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge

Edition details

• Publisher: Imperial College Press
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1783266201
• ISBN 13: 9781783266203
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256