BQF Innovation Blog » future http://www.bqf.org.uk/innovation The BQF is the community for every business seeking excellent insights, tools and experiences to improve itself. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:11:30 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Sources of Insights and Trends http://www.bqf.org.uk/innovation/2010/10/25/sources-of-insights-and-trends/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sources-of-insights-and-trends http://www.bqf.org.uk/innovation/2010/10/25/sources-of-insights-and-trends/#comments Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:41:30 +0000 Paul Sloane http://www.bqf.org.uk/innovation/?p=753 How can you keep up to date with the latest trends and directions in your industry?  There are so many sources of potential information that you can be overwhelmed.  You should certainly watch, listen and learn from the following:

1.  Your customers

2. Your frontline staff (sales, marketing and customer service in particular)

3. Your [...]]]> How can you keep up to date with the latest trends and directions in your industry?  There are so many sources of potential information that you can be overwhelmed.  You should certainly watch, listen and learn from the following:

1.  Your customers

2. Your frontline staff (sales, marketing and customer service in particular)

3. Your competitors

4.  Your trade magazines, shows and websites

There are also some generic trend watching sites that are worth browsing.  Check out the following and see which are most useful in your sector:

Fuld – Business and Competitive Intelligence

Outward Insights – Competitive Intelligence

PSFK – Trends and creative ideas in popular, consumer and business culture

Springwise – Entrepreneurial ideas from around the world

Trendhunter – Trends and cutting edge ideas

Trendwatching – Scans the world for emerging consumer trends

The future is already here.  You have to be receptive to weak signals to find it.  These sites might help.  You do not have time to read them all but you cannot afford to be unaware of key trends that affect your business so you have to be selective.   Good trend hunting!

Paul Sloane

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]]> http://www.bqf.org.uk/innovation/2010/10/25/sources-of-insights-and-trends/feed/ 0 Book Review – The Future of Management http://www.bqf.org.uk/innovation/2008/08/11/book-review-the-future-of-management/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=book-review-the-future-of-management http://www.bqf.org.uk/innovation/2008/08/11/book-review-the-future-of-management/#comments Mon, 11 Aug 2008 18:10:59 +0000 Paul Sloane http://www.bqf.org.uk/innovation/?p=115 In this significant new work, Gary Hamel challenges our thinking about management.  He argues that the management methods used in most organisations are relics of systems designed over 100 years ago to control and command.  They are inappropriate, inadequate and obstructive for knowledge-based 21st century organisations that want to be agile and innovative.  He gives detailed [...]]]> In this significant new work, Gary Hamel challenges our thinking about management.  He argues that the management methods used in most organisations are relics of systems designed over 100 years ago to control and command.  They are inappropriate, inadequate and obstructive for knowledge-based 21st century organisations that want to be agile and innovative.  He gives detailed case studies of companies that use new and advanced management methods.  In particular he describes Whole Foods, W L Gore and Google.  He advises that we completely replace conventional systems of management with a much more democratic and empowered environment where people can take responsibility for their own decisions and express their creativity in a trusted community.  He gives Web 2.0 as the model for the new world of management – powerful peer networks. 

His writing style is excellent – intelligent, articulate and stimulating.  His examples are very useful for putting the points into context.  The Future of Management will challenge your thinking and ask you some uncomfortable questions.  It is highly recommended.

Click here for a full list of my recommended books on Innovation, Leadership and Creativity.

Paul Sloane

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