As a self-professed enthusiast of business innovation literature, I was excited to dive into How to Create Innovation by Stefan F. Dieffenbacher. The book promotes itself as a comprehensive guide filled with proven strategies and tools designed for organizations looking to digitally transform and win in today’s competitive landscape. Given the rising importance of innovation in all sectors, I was eager to see what insights it had to offer.
In almost 464 pages, How to Create Innovation consolidates the insights and practices of over 60 global thought leaders into a cohesive framework. I was particularly drawn to the emphasis on the UNITE Innovation Framework, which promises a systematic approach for organizations to understand and navigate the often-chaotic world of innovation. It was refreshing to read a book that not only outlines theories but also provides more than 50 actionable tools, models, and canvases to implement immediately.
One of the strongest aspects of the book, echoed in the words of reviewers like Robert Morris, is its focus on cultural change within organizations. It’s true that “changing how people think about change” is one of the most significant challenges organizations encounter, especially when it comes to innovation. Dieffenbacher’s insights resonate with this."
Another highlight was the practical orientation of the book. As Frank Eschenbach pointed out, the real-world applicability of the strategies offered is undeniably valuable. With tools available for download, it feels like I was handed a toolkit that I could use to foster innovation within my own organization.
However, there were a couple of elements that I found less favorable. The sheer density of information can be overwhelming. While it’s great to have 50+ tools at my disposal, I felt that the book could have benefitted from more concise summaries or visual aids to help digest the enormity of strategies presented. This aligns with feedback from other readers who noted that the book’s scope might detract from its usability.
Additionally, Dieffenbacher touches on various frameworks and methodologies, but sometimes it seemed to gloss over the complexities involved in implementing these strategies within existing organizational infrastructures. As pointed out in Armin van Boutaren’s review, while foundational knowledge is crucial, real-world complications can lead to misalignment between theory and practice.
Despite these drawbacks, How to Create Innovation unequivocally exceeded my expectations in terms of providing a wealth of actionable insights. It truly serves as a holistic resource, consolidating a myriad of strategies and models that any business leader, entrepreneur, or manager could reference in their pursuit of fostering innovation. This is especially relevant as we navigate a world characterized by rapid change, underscoring the authors’ assertion that organizations failing to innovate risk obsolescence.
In conclusion, I highly recommend How to Create Innovation to anyone in a position to influence organizational change. Its rich content, backed by extensive expertise, makes it a powerful guide for anyone serious about taking their organization to the next level. Just be prepared to take your time with it; this book is a treasure trove that deserves careful exploration. Whether you decide to implement a single tool or attempt a full UNITE strategy, this book is sure to add immense value to your innovation journey.