Learn How Innovation Really Works
Innovation Isn't a Mystery—It's a Simple Skill that Can be Taught.
People often think innovation is a big secret, but it’s not! It’s a simple skill you can learn and master. The best innovators know how to balance three things: knowing the plan, using the right tools, and working well with people.
This free page gives you the foundation for all three areas. You can also dive into my library of blog articles for quick, focused resources. If you need specific guidance to apply these ideas to your own project, feel free to reach out to me directly for a personalized conversation.
Quick Navigation
- The Plan: Where to Start and Why
- The Tools: Simple Ways to Build and Test
- The People: How to Lead and Work Together
Assess Your Knowledge Of Innovation
The Innovation IQ Test: What Lean Sparker Are You?
Ready to assess whether you have the foundational knowledge of innovation used by top industry leaders? Take this fast, 5-question quiz to instantly measure your expertise in Lean Startup, Design Thinking, and building a Growth Mindset.
The Plan: Where to Start and Why
These guides focus on the three big questions: Why should you innovate? Where should you focus your effort? And Who needs to be involved?
How to lead big projects from start to finish
BE THE LEADER WHO MAKES CHANGE HAPPEN
Learn the simple steps to manage your portfolio of projects, ensure new methods are adopted smoothly, and guarantee success from beginning to end. Learn how to overcome resistance, guide your team, and successfully integrate major new ideas across your organization.
HOW TO PLAN AHEAD (AND SPEND SMARTER)
THINKING BIG: SIMPLE STEPS TO A CLEAR PLAN
Understand the difference between short-term tasks and long-term planning, and how to define a market position that competitors can’t touch. The complete process of turning high-level vision into clear, actionable steps for long-term growth and success.
HOW TO GET FUNDING FOR YOUR TECHNICAL IDEAS
THE BUSINESS SKILLS FOR R&D PROFESSIONALS
A simple guide for R&D professionals to translate complex technical metrics into business language (like ROI) to secure investment and align with market needs. Essential knowledge for technical leaders on budgeting, project selection, and speaking the language of C-suite decision-makers.
HOW TO LAUNCH STARTUPS INSIDE YOUR COMPANY
Learn how to use “Intrapreneurship” programs to find and support internal talent, reduce the risk of new ventures, and create profitable new businesses.
The Tools: Simple Ways to Build and Test
This section is the “How-To” guide. It teaches you the simple, proven methods used by top innovators to build and test ideas quickly. The goal is to lower your risk of failure and make sure you create products and services that people truly want.
HOW TO TEST IDEAS FAST (AND AVOID WASTING MONEY)
BUILDING THE MINIMUM VIABLE PRODUCT (MVP)
Learn the “Build-Measure-Learn” method to quickly test your ideas, prove they work, and build only the product customers genuinely want. Your step-by-step guide to applying Lean Startup principles to create and validate your first product version efficiently.
HOW TO SOLVE ANY PROBLEM WITH CREATIVE STEPS
RUNNING INNOVATION WORKSHOPS THAT WORK
A simple 5-step guide to using Design Thinking to tackle complex problems and turn team brainstorming into real, testable ideas. Practical advice on structuring and facilitating high-impact sessions that generate clear ideas and move projects forward.
HOW TO KNOW WHAT YOUR CUSTOMERS REALLY WANT
FOCUSING ON THE USER (NOT THE PRODUCT)
FINDING HIDDEN CUSTOMER NEEDS
Learn to design with the user in mind, using tools like Empathy Mapping to find unspoken needs and guarantee your product won’t fail. The essential principles for designing with the customer at the core to ensure your innovation is relevant, meaningful, and highly successful. How to collect qualitative insights and use simple tools to turn observations into powerful innovation opportunities.
HOW TO MANAGE PROJECTS WITH SIMPLE, FAST STEPS
MASTERING AGILE FOR INNOVATION
Learn to use Scrum and Kanban to make your team flexible, prioritize the most valuable features, and deliver results quickly in short cycles. A complete guide to using Agile methods to handle the uncertainty of innovation, reduce risk, and maintain speed.
HOW TO USE SIMPLE TESTS TO GROW YOUR WEBSITE/APP
BUILDING DIGITAL PRODUCTS EFFICIENTLY
EXPERIMENTATION FOR DIGITAL GROWTH
Learn how to use quick prototypes and A/B Tests to make your digital product better and drive predictable growth (Growth Hacking). The simple, low-waste approach to combining Lean Startup and User Experience principles for fast, customer-validated digital product development. The core principles of running digital tests (like A/B testing) to discover growth levers and quickly optimize user experience.
The People: How to Lead and Work Together
These guides focus on the “Who”—the people and the leaders. You will learn the important personal qualities and leadership skills needed to keep new ideas flowing and help your team bounce back when things go wrong. This is the foundation that allows all your tools and processes to truly succeed.
HOW TO LEARN FROM MISTAKES AND GET BETTER
THE SECRET TO CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
Learn to switch from a Fixed Mindset to a Growth Mindset (based on Carol Dweck’s work), turning failure into useful data and seeing effort as the key to mastery. Key techniques for adopting the mindset that allows you to transform setbacks into learning opportunities and unlock your full potential.
HOW TO BUILD STRONG, TRUSTWORTHY TEAMS
THE PEOPLE SKILLS THAT DRIVE INNOVATION
A guide to using Emotional Intelligence (like Goleman’s Five Pillars) to create psychological safety, improve team dynamics, and handle conflict productively. Learn how self-awareness, empathy, and social skills are essential tools for managing team stress and leading innovation projects successfully.
HOW TO MAKE CREATIVITY & RISK-TAKING THE NORM
THE MINDSET NEEDED FOR INNOVATION
Simple steps to change the way people think and behave at work, making risk-taking, curiosity, and adaptability core values that everyone embraces. The essential beliefs and daily practices required by leaders and teams to consistently seek new ideas and succeed in uncertain environments.
You Have the Foundation. What’s Your Next Step?
You can use the free guides above to learn on your own, or you can stay updated with my latest insights:
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Get Personal Guidance: If you’re ready to apply these steps to your specific project and need my one-on-one coaching, let’s talk.
Ask a Question: If you need specific guidance on a single topic, feel free to reach out to me directly.
