Don’t count on mob innovation

2. It's a mistake to rely on a random mob of people to design your most innovative products and services. Sure, radical innovation periodically emerges in public ‘blue sky’ idea contests – but don't bank the entire future of your organization on it. The key to consistently tapping the wisdom of crowds is to encourage affinity groups to form – and then provide them with context, constraints, and even expert guidance. That way they can channel their energy and thinking into actionable insights to help meet your objectives. People are experts about their lives, their needs, their hopes and dreams ... help them tell you about their inner world and your team will have innovation opportunities at their fingertips.

3. Don’t count on mob innovation It's a mistake to rely on a random mob of people to design your most innovative products and services. Sure, radical innovation periodically emerges in public ‘blue sky’ idea contests – but don't bank the entire future of your organization on it. The key to consistently tapping the wisdom of crowds is to encourage affinity groups to form – and then provide them with context, constraints, and even expert guidance. That way they can channel their energy and thinking into actionable insights to help meet your objectives. People are experts about their lives, their needs, their hopes and dreams ... help them tell you about their inner world and your team will have innovation opportunities at their fingertips.