Apple

I. What is innovation?

A: Turning an idea into a solution that adds value from a customer’s perspective. It can be something completely new or something already familiar that has been done in an other perspective/way. It’s work that delivers new goodness to new customers in new markets, and does it in a way that radically improves the profitability equation.

II. What is more innovation? For instance, if you looked over a period of time in an organization to judge if it had become more (or less) innovative, what criteria would you be using?

A: I think one criteria that we can use to evaluate if a company is “more” innovative or not is their view for the customers and the needs of the customer. And what kind of solutions the company is willing to provide for this needs. The company should be able to provide and communicate easy solutions to the consumers. In addition we can have a look if the new ideas are reflected in the companies profit and turnover.

III. Even though many organizations are competent at operations, supply chain management, etc., they seem to struggle with innovation, however defined. Why is innovation so difficult.

A: I think a lot of companies lack focus in their discussions on innovation. Often there’s an urgent need for something new, fueled by a business challenge. A new competitor may have entered the market; revenues may have decreased dramatically or a big contract has been lost. But innovations are not that easy. Nobody can plan to be innovative. Some companies offering open laboratories during the free time of their employees that they have a pressure free environment were they can work on their own ideas and thoughts. Because there are a lot of barriers that can hinder people beeing creative. But the thing is that innovation requires the willingness to learn and fail

IV. Why has been Apple so sucessfull? What do you attribute it to?

A: Apple provides a very high quality in all products they produce. In addition Apple has a perfect timing in launching products. Furthermore Apple knows that all of the products they create have to be intuitive and easy to understand and learn. As technology has become more intricate and users want more features, the task of keeping things simple is sometimes difficult. Apple makes this a critical goal of its approach to creating anything for the market.

V. Is there a systematic approach to innovation at Apple? If yes, how would you characterize it? Can it be imitated? If no, why not?

A: There is no static approach at Apple, they rather dare to be bold than playing it safe. We can see the importance of boldness in the design as it is their drive and motivation. With all their connected products and their stores they provide a special spirit