Teams | Collaboration | Customer Service | Project Management

Harness the power of visuals to spark collaboration, engagement, and innovation

After first connecting at an Agile training course in Malta, we made a deal to form a learning organization for two to drive our personal development. To push through the discomfort of trying something new, we started with a small, but meaningful, experiment to post on Linkedin once per week for a year. We managed to stick to it, publishing more than 52 posts in that first year.

Why customer-centricity unleashes innovation

What makes an innovation successful? The history of innovation is littered with great products that people simply didn’t need or want. From Segways and Crystal Pepsi to a long-forgotten Harley Davidson perfume, it’s clear that creativity and technical ability will only get you part of the way there. True success hinges on your ability to build something that meets an existing problem or gap, and products that fail to resonate will ultimately disappear.

How data residency unlocks innovation

In our borderless digital economy — with digital information circling the globe in milliseconds — it may seem like your data lives everywhere. But in reality, where your data resides can have legal and compliance implications. While data privacy laws mandate how personal data should be processed and stored, they can also dictate where data should be stored. This type of requirement is called data residency.

Now is the time for opinionated leadership

For years, servant leadership has dominated Silicon Valley. Leaders have been taught to listen more than they speak, empower their teams by stepping aside, and let autonomy drive innovation. This philosophy promises trust, collaboration, and empowerment. And, for a time, it worked well. But that era is over. The world has changed and today’s fast-paced, hyper-competitive environment demands something different.

The importance of Scrum tools in Agile workflows

They say a craftsperson is only as good as their tools. The same can be said for a Scrum team. While people are at the heart of a successful Scrum project, they’re only as effective as the tools that drive their processes forward. This article explains the importance of Scrum tools, walks through best practices for their implementation, and highlights our favorite applications that you need in your Scrum tool belt for better team alignment and product development outcomes.

Collaboration is crucial for innovation. Here's why.

Many of the most well-known innovations — from the light bulb to the internet — weren’t solo efforts. They were a direct result of teamwork. So, it should come as no surprise that our ongoing research on innovation has uncovered that collaboration is one of the four main building blocks of innovative company culture. We’ve already covered why a strong sense of purpose and adaptability are important for innovation.

What to know about legal holds: How to audit, preserve, and review your digital data

A lawsuit can be stressful and expensive for a company. Those who handle compliance well can move past it to grow, while those who don’t may face higher consequences. In litigation, documentation can make or break a case. Think of every employee and contractor contributing to your software and each tool they use. Every email, chat (yes, even Slack!), wireframe, and digital board iteration could become critical evidence.

How adaptability unlocks innovation

Organizations widely agree that innovation is urgent and important. But here’s what’s less clear: how to consistently fuel and foster that innovation. Through our research, we’ve identified four main building blocks for cultures of innovation, and there are clear strategies that separate organizations that experience repeatable success versus ones where innovation is less frequent. We’ve already explored how purpose fuels innovation.

Fail forward: How embracing failure accelerates innovation

Failure and innovation are two sides of the same coin, but companies can easily forget this when striving for perfection. As humans we’re naturally drawn to celebrating success. We focus on the glory of winning and the outcomes of groundbreaking products while often glossing over the string of missteps, experiments, and failures along the way. But ignoring failure is a mistake. Yes, failure has negative connotations, but it’s often a critical stepping stone to success.