Getting to innovation “on the other side of complexity”

van Wulfen (S)Years ago, Oliver Wendell Holmes observed, “I would not give a fig for the simplicity this side of complexity, but I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity.”

In his latest book, The Innovation Maze: Four Routes to a Successful New Business Case, Gijs (pronounced “Guys”) van Wulfen offers this definition:

“An innovation is a feasible relevant offering such as product, service e, process or experience with a viable business model that is perceived as new and is adopted by customers.” (Page 23)

He introduces and thoroughly explains (with text and illustrations) four “routes” to innovation, reach of which can lead to peak performance”on the other side of complexity”:

o The Idea Route: You are starting with what you think is a new idea.

o The Technology Route: You have discovered what you think is a new technology.

o The Customer Issue Route: You have discovered what you think is an unsolved customer pain point.

o The Bus Challenge Route: You know that your organization must innovate and you don’t know how. Where to begin, for example.

“The Innovation Maze simplifies innovation; delivering a coherent approach to the creation of new business cases. I have written it for startups, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs, managers, consultants, and others who are also looking for real-life advice to successfully navigate the innovation maze.”

I also highly recommend an earlier work, The Innovation Expedition: A Visual Toolkit to Start Innovation as well as The Innovation Maze.

Why is innovation made complex by so many people? Innovation author and speaker, Gijs van Wulfen, loves to make it simple again, and inspire you with his lectures and workshops so you and your team can innovate yourselves successfully. He helps organizations worldwide to jumpstart innovation and create new products, services and business models. As innovation speaker and founder of the FORTH innovation methodology, which combines design thinking and business thinking, he is delighted by the great response to his lectures, methodology and trainings.

For more information, Gijs cordially invites you to check out his website.

Posted in

Leave a Comment





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.