When I founded The Innovation Resource 25 years ago, my focus was on helping individuals and organizations profit from change, rather than be blindsided by it. Back then, little did I know that the need for innovative thinking would explode in today’s hypercompetitive world. Or that CEOs the world over would grow desperate to recruit and retain employees who exhibit creativity, because it is the rarest of traits. Or that I would be in the forefront of a new field of study.

Yet despite all the buzz, here’s the irony: Innovation is still the most misunderstood word in the English language. People think it’s about new technology or R&D, or somebody else’s responsibility. That’s why my approach emphasizes that in today’s world, innovation must become everybody’s business. And that innovators are made, not born. I’m convinced that we can all learn to innovate better by applying the surprisingly simple, practical principles that I teach all over the world.

If you’ve been around me for very long you’ve probably heard me say that innovation is not what you do after you get your job done, it’s how you approach your job, your career, your life. It’s coming up with ideas – and bringing them to life. It’s discovering fresh approaches and unconventional solutions and coming out with new products and services that give customers greater value.

What we teach at TIR is that innovation is a mindset, a skill-set and a toolset. You’ll learn more about these concepts in our website, especially in the Keynotes, Books and Resources sections. So as you peruse our website, please remember this: whatever your position, profession or industry, your ability to innovate – to problem solve, experiment, ideate, dazzle customers, drive growth, collaborate, think ahead of the curve, and otherwise add value – gives you and your organization a competitive edge that can never be taken away. Thanks for stopping by and I wish you all the best.