The Value of Innovation

[Ashley James]

And although we're an innovative company there is another of far greater importance.

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_17/b4081061866744.htm?chan=magazine+channel_special+r eport

[Chris Frost]

I looked down the list (here (http://bwnt.businessweek.com/interactive_reports/innovative_companies/?chan=magazine+channel_special+report)) and wondered how companies such as Starbucks, Wal-Mart, McDonalds, Costco and others could be considered as some of the world's top innovators.

I did some digging and came up with this link (http://images.businessweek.com/ss/08/04/0417_mostinnovative/index_01.htm)which is perhaps more useful for getting to the detail of the main story.

Having read through the 50 companies listed the innovations seem to fall in to four categories:


"We innovate by listening to our customers"
"We do the same thing but better now"
"We spotted an opportunity in developing markets"
"We made or do something new"


Now I know I'm being really cynical, but aren't the first three reasons just good business practice? :scratch: