Rating: 
Summary: Innovation by Management ?
Review: Book seems to present a wholly "management" perspective to the Art of Design Innovation. Unfortunately, the author seems so caught up in his rose tinted view of events that most of the process and effort (read "real work") so necessary for successful Product Innovation hardly gets an honest mention. Is it any wonder that lots of people out there relate so well with Scott Adams' long-suffering Dilbert The Engineer cartoon character?
Rating: 
Summary: Innovate your way to greatness!
Review: This book is a milestone -- not in technique or in philosophy -- but in the author's clear, readable style of communication with the reader. Tom Kelley brings the process of contextual design to life, with stories, annecdotes, and great illustrative examples of how sharp minds solve problems. He points out the simple things that make our lives easier, and the bonehead decisions companies make without asking customers how they'll really use their products. It's more than insight -- it's a guide you can use. No matter what business you're in, if you rely on creativity to improve your business, this book is a must-have tool. Few authors are as passionate, knowledgeable, and articulate on their subject matter as Tom Kelley. I look forward to his next book!
Rating:
Summary: The Abracadabra of Innovation
Review: Reading Tom Kelley's book is like watching a magician open a valise and - instead of a rabbit or a long string of scarves - pull out this intangible, amorphous "thingy" called innovation. (Eat your hearts out, Penn and Teller!). In well-thought out, progressive chapters, he shows how anyone - yes, anyone - can reach the promised land of innovation through a combination of process and mindset. This is not some "touchy-feely" project; rather, Mr. Kelley gives substantive advice and provides replicatable and verifiable processes to follow in reaching your - and your company's - inner innovative self. Using a series of delightful and even inspirational examples - many involving products we use every day - he explains with patience, humor and insight the ingredients of IDEO's secret sauce, everything from the value of focused observation and rapid prototyping to the critical importance of risk taking (or, as he puts it, "fail often to succeed sooner"). This book is required reading for any company or individual that wants to succeed in business - that is to say, everyone!
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring Innovation!
Review: After decades of thinking otherwise, I now believe that "creativity" can be taught -- or, at the very least, inspired! Tom Kelley has written a magical book. Not often have I read a work of non-fiction in a single sitting; nor found myself chuckling (and at times laughing aloud) at what could easily serve as an Engineering or B-School text.Kelley "catches" the spirit of the creative process and seemlessly "pegs it" right back at the reader with the grace and fluidity of an allstar shortstop! This is an amazing book that will inspire anyone with problems to solve and victories to win! I strongly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Tom Kelleys Poker Face
Review: I just finished the book. Let me preface this with the fact that I've been an admirer of Tom Kelley and IDEO for quite some time now. I truely believe that they have a formula for success. Unfortunatly, Mr. Kelley keeps his secrets close to his chest. The book is a wonderful read, if your looking for "warm and fuzzy" techniques for managing innovation, but the thruth is many of us need measurable and quantifiable facts/processes to move our businesses forward. Obviously, this is the IP of IDEO and the're not about to give it away to sell books. If your career is about innovation, you need to know everything about IDEO, but I don't think you can rely on this book to do that.
Rating:
Summary: Inside the Magic of Innovation
Review: Prior to this one, the only books I've read in under two days were by J. K. Rowling (I'm over 30, mind you). Its hard to beat Rowling on her story-telling ability, but Kelley comes close in his vivid, engaging and living stories of that magical world called IDEO. This book is a business book, but it is unlike any I've read. It is based on the FACTS and real life experience of a company that is out there living and doing what they preach (and the preaching is so clearly secondary). This was a great read--the writing flows well, and is very conversational. Not every company can be IDEO, but one can dream...
Rating:
Summary: The Art of Innovation: Lessons for Everybody
Review: I think Mr. Kelley has done a masterful job describing modern day industrial design in terms and examples we can all relate to. He makes it clear why innovation in our high tech world is as much art as science. And why his company delivers 'marketable products' for their clients and not 'products looking for a market'. I think there are lessons here for a wide spectrum of engineers, marketeers, and anybody responsible for a (successful!) product or service coming to market. The book is interesting and fun to read.
Rating:
Summary: The Wow of Innovation from a Pioneer on the Frontlines
Review: A beautifully written book that weaves a beautiful tapestry about the process, spirit and culture of real innovators. Lots of people talk about results and proudly display outcomes. Kelley shares his insights on not only how IDEO does it, but how anyone, with an ounce of courage, a spark of creativity and the passion to break out of the box, can do it too. Throughout the book, Kelley's your friend and mentor. By the end, innovation is your partner and passion. Finally, a business book that brings it down to reality AND up to a profound level of inspiration.
Rating:
Summary: This is the way I would run my company
Review: This should be the first book you read when you get out of college. Much of what Tom Kelley says would probably make your boss turn away, going against many theorems taught in management classes. But just maybe he is re-defining the perfect environments for the the ideas that change the way we interface.
Rating:
Summary: Good in Theory
Review: ...but so is Cold Fusion.
Kelley and IDEO have a great culture for a start-up that has morphed along with their growth. At 300 pages, there isn't much new that is not coverd in the first third of the book.
Though it sounds like a great place to work (IDEO), Kelley doesn't really make the case for how an established entity that has a less inviting culture can overcome their environment and obstacles He suggests how it should be (or could be), but not practicle ways to get from points A to B (though he might say I don't think innovatively enough).
As others have mentioned here - IDEO has has some great successes, but much of the book reads like a pat on their own back and a list of all their achievements more than it is a management guide.
|
