Incremental Innovation

In “Five Common Mistakes in Innovation” by Dev Patnaik recently wrote that companies over-rely on pilot initiatives. Certainly a companies scale, cash flow, funding and strategic intent determines appropriate implementation options. Innovation doesn't always bring short term results, however there are ways to test and measure changes considered in your business. A recent article recently reported GE considered sale of it's kitchen division. The kitchen division's iconic image in the GE conglomerate seems outweighed by it's flat profitability. Perhaps GE has a way to measure public opinion by releasing this information pre-decision.

Test geographically, by customer segment, by channel or using classic marketing tests of focus groups or surveys. The Internet is also a great way to test and refine product or service innovations before making a full force launch of it.

Fear not testing, measuring and refining.