Author Archives: Dr Ken Hudson

An example of Small Wins Innovation

An example of Small Wins Innovation
The Cheesecake Factory We love going to Hawaii. The sun, surf, people are all amazing. Every year we try and go to a restaurant called The Cheesecake Factory. Every year it’s packed. I have often wondered why. Then it hit me. They do lots of little things really well. Or what I call Small Wins Innovation. – the meals are plentiful – service is friendly – the cheesecakes are to die for – there is a great buzz – the location on the main street helps – ... Read more

Innovation for SME’s

Innovation for SME’s
What’s the best way for SME’s to innovate? It’s difficult for SME’s to conduct large scale new product launches for example. And with limited budgets its’ not feasible or desirable to have lots of failures and take big risks for example. So where does this leave SME’s? Is innovation for SME’s even possible? Yes is the short answer. Innovation must be done because customers expect it and if you don’t competitors will. Speed, innovation and the ... Read more

How small wins can change behaviour

How small wins can change behaviour
‘Around 55,000 Australians go to hospital with a heart attack every year and around one third of those are repeat heart attacks.’ Associate Professor Clara Chow, The George Institute for Global Health in Sydney In an effort to reduce these alarming figures particularly the repeat rate the researchers tried something new. They sent a series of simple text messages to the patients (4 per week) for 6 months in an attempt to improve their health. Patient received texts such as: ... Read more

Here’s a new way of selling cars that works

Here’s a new way of selling cars that works
My existing car is 8 years old so I trudged off to the various car yards to have a look at what’s new. What I did notice was how the salesperson talked about the price. Previously it was always – go with the cheapest price and then there was all the add ons. These always seemed to be hidden or in the fine print which consumers (I suspect) found annoying. But the salesperson on the weekend used a different approach. He gave me the total retail figure say $24000. Then said: ... Read more

What’s the most important innovative behaviour?

What’s the most important innovative behaviour?
Recently I gave a workshop on creative thinking and innovation to a group of leaders of a well known brand in China. I was particularly keen to talk to the creative director and I asked him about his process for generating ideas or solving problems. He said he shut the door and waited for inspiration to strike. I was intrigued by this approach. It no doubt works for him but i felt that this is too passive. What if inspiration does not strike? I also find it too stressful. My suggestion is ... Read more

How to innovate – one small win at a time*

How to innovate – one small win at a time*
Disruptive innovation is everywhere it seems. There’s an ongoing fixation with the next Uber, Netflix, WhatsApp or Airbnb. Even perennial technology darlings such as Twitter or Facebook seem, well, so yesterday. It’s intoxicating, heady stuff as one technological change can seemingly transform an industry and lead to growth rates going through the roof. But for every game-changing success there are thousands of failures which are not so glamorous. The lesson therefore is to dream big but to ... Read more

What’s the ultimate consumer response?

What’s the ultimate consumer response?
When I went to business school (some time ago I admit), we were told that marketing was all about satisfying a targeted consumer needs and wants at an acceptable margin. This is a sound idea approach as far as it goes. But it is not enough anymore. I believe the ultimate consumer response nowadays is thank you. Thank you for making the experience better, faster or simpler. It’s the goal in my small wins innovation approach. In the example here I noticed that in the Nanjing Airport ... Read more

Why packaging design matters

Why packaging design matters
I love this example of packaging design. It’s a sun tan screening lotion. I imagine the ingredients are much the same as other products. But what makes the difference is the packaging. Notice the clip at the top. Suddenly I can imagine using this and attaching it to my jeans or board shorts or golf bag. Price has become a secondary issue. The leaders of this brand have produced a design that enhances the customer experience. It’s a small change but it works. A classic win ... Read more