Reading Reflection Week #11

Gary Pisano: You Need an Innovation Strategy (Harvard Business Review, June 2015)

What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations? 

o   I was surprised to see the matrix which considers how a potential innovation fits with a company’s existing business model and technical capabilities can assist with the decision of how a company focuses on innovation and investing. I was also surprised to see how that each of these kinds of innovation can become complements, rather than substitutes.

Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

o   Not much was confusing for me, although much of it was new information. I do think this is invaluable information, however, more should be taught on this in class.

If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

1.    How is it that a leader recognizes which innovation strategy must evolve? As one can imagine, innovation is much like a moving target, so it is important leaders know which ones must be changed.

2.    What methods would a company use to determine which innovation gives value for our customers and then which ones should be changed first? We don’t want things changing unnecessarily and resources to be used randomly.  

Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

o   Nothing was ‘wrong’ as far as I know, based on minimal knowledge.