Innovation: Brilliance in a Nutshell

What is Innovation?

innovation

Definition

Process by which an idea or invention is translated into a good or service for which people will pay. To be called an innovation, an idea must be replicable at an economical cost and must satisfy a specific need. Innovation involves deliberate application of information, imagination, and initiative in deriving greater or different value from resources, and encompasses all processes by which new ideas are generated and converted into useful products. In business, innovation results often from the application of a scientific or technical idea in decreasing the gap between the needs or expectations of the customers and the performance of a firm’s products. In a social context, innovation is equally important in devising new collaborative methods such as alliance creation, joint venturing, flexible working hours, and in creating buyers’ purchasing power through methods such as hire purchase. Innovations are divided into two broad categories: (1) Evolutionary innovations are brought about by numerous incremental advances in technology or processes and are of two types (a) Continuous evolutionary innovations result in an alteration in product characteristics instead of in a new product, and do not require any user-learning or changes in his or her routine, examples are multi-blade shaving razor, fluoride toothpaste, and laptop computer; (b) Dynamic continuous evolutionary innovations require some user-learning but do not disrupts his or her routine, examples are fax machines, instant photography, and handheld computers. (2) Revolutionary innovations (called also discontinuous innovations) require a good deal of user-learning, often disrupt his or her routine, and may even require new behavior patterns. Examples are photocopier (xerography) machines, personal computers, and internet. Innovation is synonymous with risk-taking and firms which introduce revolutionary products or technologies take on the greatest risk because they have to create new markets. A less risky innovation strategy is that of the imitator who starts with a new product (usually created by a revolutionary-innovator) having a large and growing demand. The imitator then proceeds to satisfy that demand better with a more effective approach. Examples are IBM with its PC against Apple Computer, Compaq with its cheaper PCs against IBM, and Dell with its still-cheaper clones (sold directly to the customer) against Compaq. Although many innovations are created from inventions, it is possible to innovate without inventing, and to invent without innovating.

Innovative ideas are not brought about by geniuses and scientists. It is brought about by normal people like you and I Check out these awesome blogs to see what brilliant ideas are spreading!

Idea Connection: Building on the Genius of Others http://www.ideaconnection.com/innovation-blogs/

Check out the list of the top 50 Innovation Blogs!

http://www.invesp.com/blog-rank/Innovation

Innovation is Everywhere!

Have you ever had an idea and thought it was absolutely crazy? Well it’s not! It’s probably absolutely brilliant! Do you know how many websites and sources are available out there that invigorate and inspire brilliant thinking and innovation. Check them out and share your ideas!

TED: Ideas Worth Spreading Riveting talks and presentations by remarkable people  http://www.ted.com/

Mass High Tech: The Voice of New England Innovation http://www.masshightech.com/

Big Think: Think Dangerously http://bigthink.com/

Pop Tech: World Changing People, Projects and Ideas http://poptech.org/

BIL: Beauty Inspiration Logic Minds Set Free BIL is an open, free, science and technology unconference that goes along with TED http://bilconference.com/

Globe Forum: Crowd Sourcing the Future http://www.globeforum.com/

Open Culture: Free Cultural and Educational Media http://www.openculture.com/

The Long Now Foundation: Fostering Long- Term Thinking http://www.longnow.org/

Ideas R: All about Patents http://www.ideasr.com/

Change This: Spreading Ideas and Changing Minds http://changethis.com/

Whole Earth Catalog: Access to Tools and Ideas http://www.wholeearth.com/index.php

Do Lectures: Ideas + Energy= Change http://www.dolectures.com/

Gain some Insight into the Steampunk Competition and Festivities: Interview with Bruce

In order to better understand the objectives and symbolism of the Steampunk Competition we interviewed Bruce Rosenbaum, the head director of the event.

Question 1: What intrigues people about Steampunk’s designs and inventions?

Bruce: There is a ” cool factor ” that comes to the steampunk designs. Steampunk items combines an imagery of the past, present, and future. It intrigues people because when they see the invention, their brain is problem solving about where it’s from and from what period in time. They are fascinated by how it’s made and when it’s from.

Question 2: What’s the best Steampunk design you have seen thus far and why?

Bruce: There is no best design. There is simply a philosophy. It literally has to ” turn my gears”. It is crucial that the gears and the parts are working. I love the thought and design that comes to mind when you are looking at a Victorian and Industrial period invention. It brings to my mind how innovators back in the 1800’s- 1900’s would take great pride in their craftsmanship and design. There is a certain beauty and appeal to the object. I positively love the idea of taking a Victorian object and bringing it to life by giving it a new purpose. It infuses authentic Victorian objects with modern technology. I enjoy seeing objects that are brilliantly and creatively designed so that in the future it can be modified again. There is a definite respect and sensitivity to the object.

Question 3: What do you believe Steampunk truly stands for?

Bruce: Steampunk means different things to different people. For some of them it’s roleplay. For others, it’s the jewlery and dress. But for most, it’s the infusion of modern technology and an object from a different age. There is most definitely a ” Reimagined Reality” aspect. It almost makes it seem like the Victorian age and modern technology happened in the same time period. It is a way to combine the old and the new. It is about creative problem solving or what we would like to call Janusian thinking. This is based on the double headed god Janus. Janusian thinking has created the belief for us that combining opposites into one invention is a brilliant idea. A good example would be a hammer pounding nails into the group but it also takes out nails as well. Therefore, opposites creates best inventions and the best of both periods of time.

Question 4: What would you like others to get from the competition and festival? What is the main purpose?

Bruce: There is no other competition like this one. It gives people the sense of what’s possible and to look at Steampunk as a design solution. It teaches others to incorporate modern lifestyle into older period homes. It really inspires others to ” go beyond” and it offers a home interior design solution as well as practical solutions to everyday objects.

Question 5: Simply put, how would you describe the competition in three words?

Bruce: ” Awesome Baby Awesome! ” But simply put, it is definitely a fusion of the old and the new.

For more information check out http://www.steampuffin.com/ and http://www.crmi.org/!

FEMA Kickoff Meeting with regards to flood restoration

Marsha Fulsom- Management Committee

John Thomas- FEMA Technical Assistance Coordinator

Bill Hoffman- FEMA Representative for CRMI

Clark Brewer- Mitigation

Nancy Oren- Preservation Specialist

Irene Acusta- Mitigation

Elln Hagney- Acting Director of CRMI

Discussion: What FEMA benefits would be available to us?

Artifacts available and artifact restoration funding

Mitigation to prevent future floding and structural damage and build areas of the museum that don’t meet current code- FEMA funds

The CRMI will continue to work with the FEMA team to assess damage and the claim will be within 60 days.

Areas of Mitigation: Foundation wall below ground, wall along the river side, cracks in foundation, gravel area below ramp leading to the internet center, questioning the roof damage and mitigate to determine eligibility for funding for roof restoration

Historic Preservation: Over 100 Artifacts need restoration

Buildout: Pay for what was originally there and adjustments towards replacement ( AMPI theater space to be turned into classroom) ( Office funding may apply towards entrance area restoration or office space)

FEMA pays for 75% of damage however any donations and volunteer hours can apply for 25%, which the museum must come up with. Volunteer hours towards floor relief has accumulated up to 1557 thus far. Volunteer hours can be calculated as $13/hr that is applied towards the 25%. Nelson and IBG Managment have provided storage and can also be applied towards teh 25%. Equipment that volunteers have brought in also apply towards the 25%. FEMA also provides money for staff time towards the flood relief and documents hours used and this also applies the 25%.

FEMA’s legal team will continue to look over documents. FEMA is the last option and if determined someone is suppose to fund then FEMA will go after them directly. If the CRMI disagrees with any decisions made by FEMA, they have 60 days to appeal their decision.

After the meeting, the FEMA team photographed and documented damage for 2 hours and will return within the next week to further investigate the damage.

In the meantime, the museum will continue to gather more information to further seek eligibility for all and any other funding options available.

In conclusion, the Charles River Museum is encouraged by the meeting and is still planning on reopening October 1st provided that all the funding gets through.

Green Enterprise Training Institute

The Green Enterprise Training Institute recently completed a four part energy efficiency training program in cooperation with Massachusetts Workforce Development Office.  Fifteen participants from the metro-south west region completed the course which was conducted at the Charles River Museum of Industry.   

This week the Green Enterprise Small Business Development program will be launched in cooperation with a grant from the MA Office for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. This eight session program will focus on how to plan, implement and develop a green business model. The program involves speakers from clean energy, local colleges, publishing, and small business lending organization’s..   The technical aspects forming an energy efficiency company are integrated with the challenges of forming a competitive strategy in successfully marketing and funding a new green enterprise. Additional GETI partners include the Minuteman Technical and Career High School, Waltham West Suburban Chamber of Commerce, Chapman Construction , Energy Conservation Design,  and the MA Department of Workforce Development.

Speakers for GETI

Guy Campagnone, Chapman Construction

Peter Smith, Green Decade, Newton and Newton Needham Chamber

Matt Hayward, Charles River Energy Co.

Carl Gustafson, Owner of Sports Therapy, Wellesley

Rockland Trust Rep for SBA  loans

Steve Gold, Olin college of Engineering and Bentley Entrepreneur professor