The Smallbiz Brain: Michael J. Gelb

posted by David Wolf on Nov 26, 2007 | Comments (1) | Permalink | Trackback URL

Michael J. Gelb and co-author, Sarah Miller Caldicott, have completed their book, Innovate Like Edison: Success Systems of America’s Greatest Inventor. In this segment, Gelb discusses the fascinating research process as he, co-author Caldicott, (Edison’s great-grand-niece) and academic advisor, Paul Israel delve deep into Edison’s methods to discover just what made Edison…Edison!

Says Gelb:

“Edison believed successful innovation required deep mental preparation as well as strategic, thoughtful execution. Innovate Like
Edison identifies the methods Edison himself used and imparted to his teams throughout the innovation process.”

We also discover in this segment from Gelb that Edison’s innovation was not limited to the functional object of invention. But rather, his genius extended into the entire manufacturing system, business model, distribution model and brand creation of that invention. It’s almost as if he worked backward from the desired results, it seems. In fact…his greatest invention was his “system” of innovation.

FILED IN: Branding, Creativity & Innovation, Entrepreneurship, New Thinking, Podcast, Productivity