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Democratizing Innovation
Von Hippel’s New Book Stresses the Importance of Innovation by Lead Users
August 18, 2005
By:
Patricia Seybold
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Executive Summary:
In his book, Democratizing Innovation, Eric von Hippel makes a compelling case that lead users are, in fact, the most predictable source of breakthrough innovation. Instead of treating oddball customer requests as, well, oddball, you should be cherishing them as forerunners of profitable new product categories. You should foster a creative environment in which end users are encouraged to strut their stuff. You should tap communities of users—people who are problem solving and innovating as they go. Then, you’ll be able to quickly spot and commercialize more successful products than you would by sitting back in the lab and inventing solutions in response to real or perceived market needs. Let your customers do the innovation. Commercialize your customers’ solutions. That’s the democratization of innovation to which Eric refers—put the power to create new products and processes in the hands of your users.
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