tHE BOOK

How to create innovation

The Only Book on Innovation you’ll ever need

Thought-leaders
contributed

60+

Pages
of contents

450+

Ready-to-use
tools & models

50+

book cover page

Trusted by global companies

4.9
51 reviews

“How to Create Innovation" is a practical guidebook

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4.9 out of 5
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In “Laying the Foundation for Innovation,” the author delves into the crucial prerequisites for success

Rated 5.0 out of 5
15 June، 2023

Stefan Dieffenbacher’s “How to Create Innovation” is a compelling book that explores the multifaceted nature of innovation and provides a roadmap for organizations looking to unleash their creative potential. Through a well-crafted table of contents, Dieffenbacher takes readers on a journey that covers various aspects of innovation and its implementation.

The book starts with an engaging introduction, urging readers to unite and strive towards creating a world worth living in. This sets the tone for the subsequent chapters, where Dieffenbacher dives into understanding the context of innovation, challenging conventional notions of growth and change.

In “Laying the Foundation for Innovation,” the author delves into the crucial prerequisites for success. This section offers valuable insights into creating an environment that nurtures innovation, allowing organizations to thrive in an increasingly dynamic landscape.

The centerpiece of the book is the UNITE Innovation Framework introduced in Chapter 4. Dieffenbacher outlines a systematic approach for organizations to drive innovation, leveraging their strengths and strategically creating new opportunities. This framework offers a valuable resource for leaders and decision-makers seeking a structured approach to innovation.

Dieffenbacher expands the scope of the book beyond organizational structures by delving into the significance of culture and governance in fostering innovation. He highlights the pivotal role of culture in determining an organization’s ability to innovate and presents practical strategies for aligning culture with innovation goals.

The book further explores the complexities of business model innovation, equipping readers with the necessary tools to navigate this challenging terrain. Additionally, Dieffenbacher provides insights into leading a successful digital transformation, offering a fresh perspective on this increasingly relevant topic.

In the final chapters, the author provides practical advice on putting the concepts into action, including training requirements and kickstarting innovation initiatives

Avatar for Amara Ibrahim
Amara Ibrahim

The UNITE models aim to foster a movement where individuals and organizations unite to rethink how innovation and transformation are delivered.

Rated 5.0 out of 5
8 June، 2023

The book “How to Create Innovation” introduces the UNITE (Understanding and Navigating Innovation and Transformation in Enterprises) models, which consist of over 50 tools, models, canvases, approaches, and frameworks designed to cover the entire domain of innovation and transformation. These models are provided free of charge on the website digitalleadership.com/UNITE, along with variations, usage instructions, examples, and print-ready versions for workshops.

The UNITE models aim to foster a movement where individuals and organizations unite to rethink how innovation and transformation are delivered. The book emphasizes the power of collaboration and the idea that when united, we can achieve more than the sum of our parts. The UNITE umbrella encourages a collective effort to drive innovation and transformation in a target-oriented way, leveraging strengths, creating Blue Oceans (new market spaces), and moving beyond reliance on luck.

The back side of the book highlights the methodology, models, setup, and cultural prerequisites necessary for successfully creating innovation. It emphasizes that organizations can benefit from the UNITE frameworks for innovation and digital transformation, enabling them to overcome challenges and achieve desired outcomes. The book covers all domains of innovation and transformation, including understanding context, laying the foundation, core frameworks, organization and governance, unlocking culture, demystifying business model innovation, and practical implementation.

Overall, “How to Create Innovation” aims to equip readers with the tools and knowledge needed to drive successful digital innovation and transform organizations. It emphasizes the importance of unity, collaboration, and a targeted approach to innovation, while providing practical guidance and resources through the UNITE models.

Avatar for Zara Alvarado
Zara Alvarado

Covering diverse topics such as culture, business model innovation, and digital transformation

Rated 5.0 out of 5
5 June، 2023

This comprehensive guide provides a roadmap for success, covering diverse topics such as culture, business model innovation, and digital transformation, empowering readers to create meaningful outcomes in today’s rapidly changing world.

Avatar for Asher Singh
Asher Singh

This framework offers a target-oriented approach for organizations to systematically cultivate innovation

Rated 5.0 out of 5
15 May، 2023

“How to Create Innovation” by Stefan Dieffenbacher is an insightful guide that aims to inspire and equip individuals and organizations with the knowledge and tools needed to foster innovation in today’s rapidly changing world. The book starts with a powerful call to action in the introduction, emphasizing the importance of unity in creating a world worth living in.

Dieffenbacher then delves into the concept of understanding context, providing readers with a fresh perspective on growth and change. This understanding serves as a solid foundation for the subsequent chapters, where the author explores how to lay the groundwork for innovation and create the necessary prerequisites for success.

One of the highlights of the book is the UNITE Innovation Framework, introduced in Chapter 4. This framework offers a target-oriented approach for organizations to systematically cultivate innovation, leverage their strengths, and navigate the challenges of creating blue oceans. The author also emphasizes the importance of overcoming reliance on luck in the innovation process.

The book goes beyond the organizational aspects of innovation and explores the role of culture and governance in fostering an environment where innovation can thrive. Dieffenbacher aptly captures the significance of culture by quoting the famous phrase, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast,” emphasizing the need to align organizational culture with innovation goals.

Furthermore, the book addresses the complexities of business model innovation, providing valuable insights into taming this challenging aspect. It also touches upon leading digital transformation, shedding light on a renewed understanding of this crucial topic.

The concluding chapters offer practical guidance on putting the principles discussed into practice, including training requirements and kickstarting innovation initiatives in large organizations. The book wraps up with an “About” section, providing information about Digital Leadership AG and introducing the lead authors and key contributors.

Overall, “How to Create Innovation” is a comprehensive and thought-provoking guide that encourages individuals and organizations to embrace innovation as a fundamental driver of success. Dieffenbacher’s expertise and the well-structured content make this book a valuable resource for anyone seeking to foster a culture of innovation in their personal or professional endeavors.

Avatar for Nova Chen
Nova Chen

Equips leaders and decision-makers with the necessary methodologies and cultural prerequisites to foster innovation

Rated 5.0 out of 5
5 May، 2023

“How to Create Innovation” equips leaders and decision-makers with the necessary methodologies and cultural prerequisites to foster innovation, enabling them to overcome challenges, leverage strengths, and create Blue Oceans of opportunity.

Avatar for Kian Patel
Kian Patel

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What will you get ?

Our Bestseller in Numbers

450+
pages
of contents

50+
ready-to-use
tools & models

60+
thought-leaders
contributed

95+
illustrations
connecting the dots

  • The only end2end book on innovation and digital transformation bridging all the silos
  • Ready to be used in your workshops, including guiding questions and background comments
  • All connected by the UNITE frameworks that will help you bridge all the silos
  • Extensively tried & tested on innovation projects and some of the largest transformation initiatives globally!
FREE access to 50+ complimentary download packages covering the details with plenty of helpful background information (proudly made available OpenSource!)

Why don’t you take a sneak Preview?

Digital copy in a matter of few clicks

Meet the largest library of innovation and digital transformation tools on the internet

Plus the “First Full-Fledged Business model framework connecting all the dots”

a word from the main author
Stefan F. Dieffenbacher

I believe the purpose of all life is to evolve. For me personally it means to develop people and organizations. This is what this book is all about.

Let’s UNITE and create a world worth living in!
25+
years
of experience
100M+
portfolio
management
9+  
start-ups founded &
invested in
1.000+
workshops & keynotes
delivered globally

Led large scale projects with multi-million-$ impact for:

BMW, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Telekom, Epson, Etihad Etisalat, Hubert Burda Media, IBM, Jaguar, Linde, Mobily, 02, Pfizer, Sapient, Sky, VNG, Vodafone, et al.

90% of Innovation And Growth Projects Fail because They do not meet customer needs, miss the right setup and lack a cohesive end2end approach

Prevent failure with the only book on Innovation that bridges all the silos and a proven step-by-step approach with all the tools you are ever going to need!

And this exactly what we offer in this book, through:

01. The provenly best Practices and Strategies

60+ contributors
500+ years of collective exprience
10+ billion portfolio experience

02. Creating the right Setup to maximize Results

Understand your context, design the right setup &
lay the foundation for successful innovation

03. The UNITE Innovation Framework

An end2end approach bridging all the silos
The first full fledged Business Model Framework
A guide to fill the infamous strategy-execution gap

04. Key Exponential Growth Practises

Follow a proven scalable roadmap from business capabilities to operating model implementation.

05. Ready-to-use Tools & Canvases

Included 50+ tools, ready to be used in your workshops, including guiding questions and background comments

BONUS!

The 50+ UNITE models
are shared OpenSource and for FREE

Digital copy in a matter of few clicks

90% of Innovation And Growth Projects Fail because They do not meet customer needs, miss the right setup and lack a cohesive end2end approach

Prevent failure with the only book on Innovation that bridges all the silos and a proven step-by-step approach with all the tools you are ever going to need!

And this exactly what we offer in this book, through:

01. The provenly best Practices and Strategies

60+ contributors
500+ years of collective exprience
10+ billion portfolio experience

02. Creating the right Setup to maximize Results

Understand your context, design the right setup &
lay the foundation for successful innovation

03. The UNITE Innovation Framework

An end2end approach bridging all the silos
The first full fledged Business Model Framework
A guide to fill the infamous strategy-execution gap

04. Key Exponential Growth Practises

Follow a proven scalable roadmap from business capabilities to operating model implementation.

BONUS!

The 50+ UNITE models
are shared OpenSource and for FREE

05. Ready-to-use Tools & Canvases

Included 50+ tools, ready to be used in your workshops, including guiding questions and background comments

Digital copy in a matter of few clicks

When should you read this book ?

I want to…

Understand Innovation & Transformation across all silos

This book bridges all silos, all topics, all domains. It provides an end2end understanding. It helps both corporates and start-ups find their footing to grow and scale.

What will this book help you achieve?

  • Build the right context
  • Create blue oceans
  • Design innovation that matters
This book will blow your mind. Finally we
have an end2end guide on innovation and digital transformation that walks the talk. With all the tools we need to get our work done.
Claus Schmid

Head of Marketing

I want to…

Lead initiatives to success

Understand what should happen end2end. Based on this book, you will be able to develop the right setup, leadership, culture, portfolio and ultimately drive success across your initiative(s).

What will this book help you achieve?

  • Grow your leadership in the digital arena
  • Assess strategic moves effectively
  • Build the right portfolio
If you as a corporate want to beat a start-
up, you have to be aware of your strategic assets and capabilities so you know which weapons you require to beat the market!
Dr. Jürgen Aschenbrenner

Head of Innovation Portfolio

I want to…

Leverage the right methods in the right ways

We share with you the single best way to typically apply. And we back it up with all the methods, tools, frameworks and approaches you are going to need to innovate and transform.

What will this book help you achieve?

  • The right methods available for your work
  • Fill the strategy-execution gap
  • Do the right thing at the right time
With the help of the Digitalization Building
Blocks, you can easily understand which components are mandatory for successful digitalization.
Tamas Grünzweig

Head of Engineering at Big Tech

When should you read this book ?

I want to…

Understand Innovation & Transformation across all silos

This book bridges all silos, all topics, all domains. It provides an end2end understanding. It helps both corporates and start-ups find their footing to grow and scale.

What will this book help you achieve?

  • Build the right context
  • Create blue oceans
  • Design innovation that matters
Frame 49 (34)
I want to…

Lead initiatives to success

Understand what should happen end2end. Based on this book, you will be able to develop the right setup, leadership, culture, portfolio and ultimately drive success across your initiative(s).

What will this book help you achieve?

  • Grow your leadership in the digital arena
  • Assess strategic moves effectively
  • Build the right portfolio
Frame 49 (35)
I want to…

Leverage the right methods in the right ways

We share with you the single best way to typically apply. And we back it up with all the methods, tools, frameworks and approaches you are going to need to innovate and transform.

What will this book help you achieve?

  • The right methods available for your work
  • Fill the strategy-execution gap
  • Do the right thing at the right time
This book will blow your mind. Finally we
have an end2end guide on innovation and digital transformation that walks the talk. With all the tools we need to get our work done.
claus schmid image
Claus Schmid

Head of Marketing

If you as a corporate want to beat a start-
up, you have to be aware of your strategic assets and capabilities so you know which weapons you require to beat the market!
Jürgen Aschenbrenner image
Dr. Jürgen Aschenbrenner

Head of Innovation Portfolio

With the help of the Digitalization Building
Blocks, you can easily understand which components are mandatory for successful digitalization.
Tamas Grünzweig image
Tamas Grünzweig

Head of Engineering at Big Tech

What’s Inside?

Uncovering Opportunities

Most innovations fail because they do not find the right niche and target market.

In this book you will learn how to identify the important but unmet customer needs with confidence and certainty.
How :
  • The UNITE Jobs To Be Done customer promise canvas
  • The UNITE Value Proposition Canvas
  • The UNITE Business Model Environment Canvas
Chapter
3
chapters  info icon
chapters  info icon
Laying the Foundation for Innovation

Creating the prerequisites for success

Chapter
4
chapters  info icon
chapters circle
The UNITE Innovation Framework

How organizations can create innovation in a target-oriented way, leverage their strengths, create blue oceans and overcome luck

Chapter
9
chapters  info icon
chapters circle
Putting it into Practice

How to kickstart an innovation or transformation initiative in a large organization

Successfully creating
Innovation

You’re ready to innovate your business, but where to start?

We break down all of the key pieces: from identifying the innovation area, to achieving Solution/Market fit, testing and growth hacking, and much, much more!
How :
  • The UNITE Innovation Approach
  • The Growth Hacking Process
  • The UNITE Problem-Solution Fit
Chapter
3
chapters  info icon
chapters circle
Laying the Foundation for Innovation

Creating the prerequisites for success

Chapter
4
 info icon
chapters circle
The UNITE Innovation Framework

How organizations can create innovation in a target-oriented way, leverage their strengths, create blue oceans and overcome luck

Chapter
7
 info icon
chapters circle
Business Model Innovation

Taming the beast

Lead Culture Change

Culture is arguably the #1 reason why most innovation and transformation efforts fail.

We invite you to systematically understand, design, challenge and rethink your organization’s culture. And we support you with all the tools to make Culture actionable.
How
  • The Culture Canvas
  • The Visible and Invisible Dimensions of Culture in Organizations
  • The UNITE Paradigm Shift in Leadership
Chapter
5
chapters  info icon
chapters circle
Organization & Governance

Designing an environment where your innovation ambitions can bloom

Chapter
6
chapters  info icon
chapters circle
Unlocking Culture

“Culture eats strategy for breakfast”

Design winning Business Models

Business Models Innovation is the most underexploited way of driving innovations.

Supported by the UNITE Business Model Framework, you’ll learn about Value-, Business- and Operating Model management, and how to drive exponential growth.
How :
  • The UNITE Business Model Framework
  • The UNITE Exponential Growth Canvas
  • The UNITE Operating Model Canvas
Chapter
7
chapters info icon
chapters circle
Business Model Innovation

Taming the beast

Chapter
9
chapters  info icon
chapters circle
Putting it into Practice

How to kickstart an innovation or transformation initiative in a large organization

From Whiteboard to Reality

Every good business starts with a plan and a solid strategy.

Uncover the critical elements of innovation strategy from identifying opportunities to the core innovation approach all the way down to portfolio management. And most importantly: understand how to overcome the infamous strategy-execution gap.
How :
  • The UNITE Strategy-Execution Framework
  • The UNITE Assessment of Strategic Moves
  • The Jobs-To-Be-Done Job Journey Navigator
Chapter
4
chapters  info icon
chapters circle
The UNITE Innovation Framework

How organizations can create innovation in a target-oriented way, leverage their strengths, create blue oceans and overcome luck

Chapter
5
chapters  info icon
chapters circle
Organization & Governance

Designing an environment where your innovation ambitions can bloom

Chapter
9
chapters  info icon
chapters circle
Putting it into Practice

How to kickstart an innovation or transformation initiative in a large organization

Succeeding with Your Digital Transformation

To successfully drive transformation, you need to understand the what, where and how.

Supported by the UNITE models, you will follow a proven roadmap to success from business capabilities to operating model implementation.
How
  • The UNITE Assessment of Possible Strategic Moves
  • The UNITE Strategic Option Matrix
  • The 8-Step Process for Leading Change
Chapter
7
chapters  info icon
chapters circle
Business Model Innovation

Taming the beast

Chapter
8
chapters  info icon
chapters circle
Leading a Digital Transformation

A renewed understanding of digital transformation

What’s Inside?

Some Of The Key Growth Principles You’ll Learn Inside

Frame 49 (36)

Uncovering Opportunities

Most innovations fail because they do not find the right niche and target market.

In this book you will learn how to identify the important but unmet customer needs with confidence and certainty.
How :
  • The UNITE Jobs To Be Done customer promise canvas
  • The UNITE Value Proposition Canvas
  • The UNITE Business Model Environment Canvas
Chapter
3
Chapter
4
Chapter
9
Frame 49 (42)

Successfully creating
Innovation

You’re ready to innovate your business, but where to start?

We break down all of the key pieces: from identifying the innovation area, to achieving Solution/Market fit, testing and growth hacking, and much, much more!
How :
  • The UNITE Innovation Approach
  • The Growth Hacking Process
  • The UNITE Problem-Solution Fit
Chapter
3
Chapter
4
Chapter
7
Frame 49 (43)

Lead Culture Change

Culture is arguably the #1 reason why most innovation and transformation efforts fail.

We invite you to systematically understand, design, challenge and rethink your organization’s culture. And we support you with all the tools to make Culture actionable.
How
  • The Culture Canvas
  • The Visible and Invisible Dimensions of Culture in Organizations
  • The UNITE Paradigm Shift in Leadership
Chapter
5
Chapter
6
Frame 49 (44)

Design winning Business Models

Business Models Innovation is the most underexploited way of driving innovations.

Supported by the UNITE Business Model Framework, you’ll learn about Value-, Business- and Operating Model management, and how to drive exponential growth.
How :
  • The UNITE Business Model Framework
  • The UNITE Exponential Growth Canvas
  • The UNITE Operating Model Canvas
Chapter
7
Chapter
9
Frame 49 (45)

From Whiteboard to Reality

Every good business starts with a plan and a solid strategy.

Uncover the critical elements of innovation strategy from identifying opportunities to the core innovation approach all the way down to portfolio management. And most importantly: understand how to overcome the infamous strategy-execution gap.
How :
  • The UNITE Strategy-Execution Framework
  • The UNITE Assessment of Strategic Moves
  • The Jobs-To-Be-Done Job Journey Navigator
Chapter
4
Chapter
5
Chapter
9
Frame-49-46

Succeeding with Your Digital Transformation

To successfully drive transformation, you need to understand the what, where and how.

Supported by the UNITE models, you will follow a proven roadmap to success from business capabilities to operating model implementation.
How
  • The UNITE Assessment of Possible Strategic Moves
  • The UNITE Strategic Option Matrix
  • The 8-Step Process for Leading Change
Chapter
7
Chapter
8

questions to be answered

Table of contents

Introduction

Let's UNITE & create a world worth living in!

Unlocking Culture

“Culture eats strategy for breakfast”

Understanding Context

A new understanding of growth and change

Business Model Innovation

Taming the beast

Laying the Foundation for Innovation

Creating the prerequisites for success

Leading a Digital Transformation

A renewed understanding of digital transformation

The UNITE Innovation Framework

How organizations can create innovation in a target-oriented way, leverage their strengths, create blue oceans and overcome luck

Putting it into Practice

How to kickstart an innovation or transformation initiative in a large organization

Organization & Governance

Designing an environment where your innovation ambitions can bloom

About

About Digital Leadership AG Get to know the lead authors & key contributors Acknowledgements

Digital copy in a matter of few clicks

Get To Know The Lead Authors

Stefan F. Dieffenbacher

Founder and CEO of Digital Leadership
Stefan has led some of the largest innovation & transformation projects around the world.

He is an sought-after thought leader in the digital innovation and transformation industry and brings over 20 years of experience in the field.

He has led major digital programs for top-10 global firms across almost all sectors, strategizing, executing and growth-hacking digital ventures with the largest business cases exceeding €100m.

Caroline Hüttinger

Partner Experience Design, Digital Leadership
Caroline has been responsible for implementing some of the most successful experiencial design projects with large corporations & brands such as Audi, Amazon, Occhio and Parador.

Working alongside Stefan at Digital Leadership, she is responsible for leading Brand Development, Experience Design and Communication.

Our Co-Authors

Innovation requires a mindset that enables us to cope with a complex and chaotic environment. To navigate a rapidly changing and uncertain future, we need to overcome outdated assumptions and practices that hinder the dynamic and necessary evolution of work and life.

Douglas is a deal-making expert who’s led significant M&A transactions. A Business Leader who’s built and led significant H1 and H2 businesses with portfolio values in excess of $8bn, and an innovator who likes to re-imagine the world we live in and who’s successfully launched a global EdTech.

Dr. Andreas Rein is a C-Level sparring partner and organizational development leader supporting organizations to go from whiteboard to reality.
Andreas has extremely broad experience, integrating a broad perspective across all disciplines. He has led countless large engagements as a leader, advisor and C-level sparring partner.

Our Key Contributors

Tara Dankel

Itinerant Philosopher,
Wordsmith

Sabine Pleva

Germany’s Miss Brand &
Communication Strategy

Martin König

Organizational
Transformation Coach

Martin Permantier

Author, Executive Advisor &
Founder of Short Cuts

Helge Tennø

Passionate customer fanatic
& global CX leader

Zhao Wang

Corporate Technology
Architect & Systems thinker

Karim Farris

Motion Designer,
Illustrator and Art Director

Simon Thiel

Executive Copywriter

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