Design Matters in Product Innovation

Businesses often speak about the importance of design and innovation for new product development. Think about the products designed by Apple, Hewlett-Packard, Samsung, and more. Beautiful designs coupled with easy-to-use functionality are what we think of when considering innovative design.

But is the design the only thing that matters? Does every product that has won design awards and accolades achieve success in the marketplace? Unfortunately, no - innovative design does not translate into market acceptance, or even a good product.

In this TED Talks video, Timothy Prestero (the founder and CEO of Design that Matters, a nonprofit organization that works with entrepreneurs on products for developing countries) discusses his own experiences with product innovation geared for developing countries. Prestero candidly discusses his experience developing an infant incubator for developing nations - a product that won TIME Magazine's "50 Best Inventions of 2010."

Beautiful design - yes. Practical product implemented in hospitals - no. The lesson for innovators and inventors is that good design needs to focus on who will use the product - as well as all the ways that the product can be used incorrectly. As Preston said in his talk, "There's no such thing as a dumb user; there are only dumb products."

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/timothy_prestero_design_for_people_not_awards.html

Primer on proper use of trademark & copyright notice

Here's a quick way to make sure you use proper designations of ownership for intellectual property rights. The author is the attorney I worked with to protect Concordia University's trademarks a few years ago.
http://www.duetsblog.com/2012/09/articles/trademarks/nuts-bolts-of-trademark-notice-symbols/

Global Innovation Index

Interesting ranking of countries according to an index of innovation. Any guess where the USA ranks?

SBA - Small Business Administration

Hi Folks,

Here is the SBA link Bruce shared via email. It has a good competition finder. Some of your students who are working on business plans might find it interesting.

http://www.sba.gov/sizeup 

 

10048 – Manhattan in Silence!

Few buildings have ever been given their own zip code but the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City (NYC)  had its own ~ 10048! Today the area of land where the building stood has become a sanctuary in the heart of the City.

On a hot August afternoon I stood at the former site of the World Trade Center in downtown Manhattan ~ Wall Street.  As I walked up to the 911 Memorial with my ticket to enter the hallowed ground along with thousands of visitors it seemed as though the City was transformed.

It was noontime on this last Thursday of the month.  The streets were hustling with autos, taxis, people and the noise we associate with the financial capital of the world!  As we stepped closer we saw the beginning of the redeveloped WTC that included the Memorial Pools and the spiral new tower (see photo above) that will be the tallest building in the US erected on the eight- acre ground.  As a visitor you see the other rebuilding all around you and marvel at what has been done. However, what struck me the most was the sound of silence.

The two pools set in the footprints of the original Towers are thirty- foot waterfalls – the largest in North America cascading into the pools. Each of the falls then descends into a center void. On the bronze parapets around of the pools the names of the victims are inscribed. Reflecting on the names and looking at the waterfalls all you hear is the gentle sound of the water – somehow the noise of the City is downed out. Zip code 10048 may be silent but once again we are reminded as Mayor Michael Bloomberg says, “this is a symbol of hope for the future”.

If you have the opportunity to visit New York City – do not miss this remarkable place of reflection and remembrance in the spirit of unity.