How to create
innovation

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

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.

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.

“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.

“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.