One of the biggest problems facing businesses is how to take a great idea and turn it into a compelling proposition. Most organisations - large and small - face this problem whether they are preparing an application for a grant such as the UK DTI Innovation Funds, or trying to get internal funding for a credible business case.

Download a PDF copy of a presentation that outlines four steps to turn an idea into a compelling proposition.


Resources

The following list is a mix of web pages and books on Amazon. I have found each of these sources inspirational and useful - sometimes to get out of my operational box, and sometimes finding and applying new and useful techniques.

The list is a small extract of the materials I have read and collected over the years. Let me know if you find the list useful, or if you want to suggest other topics and links.



Strategic thinking

McKinsey Quarterly - a great source of ideas; excellent examples of clear writing and presentation. Especially Staircases to Growth

A Google search on "strategic thinking" returns a large number of courses for those who prefer a classroom environment

Tom Peters' Free Stuff - a good archive of pithy lists and presentations

Also, have a look at Mintzberg, Porter here, here and here , and Drucker

Competing for the Future by Hamel and Prahalad. (Amazon UK)

Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne (Amazon UK)

Scenarios - the Art of Strategic Conversation by Kees van der Heijden (Amazon UK)

The Sixth Sense also by Kees van der Heijden (Amazon UK)



Linking strategies to objectives and KPIs

Balanced Scorecard Institute

The Wikipedia entry for Balanced Scorecard has some good introductory material and links

Strategy Maps by Kaplan and Norton (refinement of the Balanced Scorecard concept) (Amazon UK)



Product development

Scottish Enterprise background material.

More good background material from Wikipedia.

I have found these books to be useful in learning about an area that is critical but somewhat foreign to me.

Product Design and Development by Karl Ulrich (Amazon UK)

Design Secrets - Industrial Designers Society of America. (Amazon UK)



Clear thinking and writing, and good presentations

I have used the ideas in this book for nearly 20 years ... very useful ...

The Pyramid Principle by Barbara Minto (Amazon UK)

While we're on clear writing ...

The Economist's Style Guide, while lengthy and aimed at journalists, is a top guide to straightforward writing and a great resource page. Try the "Write Stuff" quiz at the bottom of the page. See also George Orwell's essay Politics and the English Language which is linked from the Economist's Style Guide Page.

This site is amusing, and is aimed at copywriters and journalists but also has some good hints and guidelines

Also, before you prepare your next presentation have a look at Guy Kawasaki's 10/20/30 Rule of Powerpoint ... and Lawrence Lessig at Oscon 2002 - a striking presentation style. If you have more time visit presentationzen, Garr Reynold's wonderful blog about good presentation design (I'm learning, but very very slowly!)



Systems thinking, causal loops & influence diagrams

I use these techniques to understand the broader value chain inside and outside the organisation, and to clarify what intangible or fuzzy influences contribute to tangible outcomes.

Wikipedia on Systems Thinking

Wikipedia on System Dynamics

Seeing the Forest for the Trees by Sherwood (Amazon UK)

Soft Systems Methodology by Checkland (Amazon UK)



Process management

Design your processes so they can be monitored and improved.

iSixSigma explanations and links

Business Process Management: The Third Wave by Howard Smith (Amazon UK)



Lean, six sigma, and the Toyota Way

Improve existing processes - relentlessly.

iSixSigma explanations and links

The Lean Six Sigma Pocket Toolbook by Maxey, Rowlands, George & Upton (Amazon UK)

Lean Six Sigma for Service by Michael George (Amazon UK)

What is Lean Six Sigma? by George, Rowlands & Kastle (Amazon UK)

Product Development for the Lean Enterprise by Kennedy (Amazon UK)

The Toyota Way: 14 Management Principles from the World's Greatest Manufacturer by Liker (Amazon UK)

The Toyota Way Fieldbook by Liker (Amazon UK)

Learning to See by Rother (Amazon UK)



Programme management and benefits realisation

Project Portfolio Management by Levine (Amazon UK)

The Information Paradox by John Thorp (Amazon UK)



IT Governance

AS8015 - The Australian Standard for Corporate Governance of Information and Communication Technology (IT Governance Ltd, UK)