Ken Tencer

Oct 24, 2011

Innovation Insight: The Dove Spa Experience

One of a series by Ken Tencer, Spyder Works CEO

Leaving a meeting the other day in Toronto, I found myself walking past a Dove Spa – one of a growing chain of spas designed by the makers of Dove soap and beauty products. I am not the target user, but I was impressed. I was impressed by the clean, minimalist form and function of the design. But I was even more impressed by the focus with which Dove has recreated the brand’s innovation strategy in business form.

By Ken Tencer Blog, business strategy, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurial Thinking, entrepreneurship, Innovation, strategy, The 90% Rule No comments Tags: business, business strategy, Entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, Innovation, Ken Tencer, The 90 percent rule, The 90% Rule

Oct 17, 2011

Innovation Insight: The Car Next Door

One of a series by Ken Tencer, Spyder Works CEO

At the World Innovation Convention in Cannes in September, a fascinating new British company came up in conversation: WhipCar. I had heard of the now global short-term rental phenomenon ZipCar, but WhipCar was new to me: peer-to-peer car rentals. The company describes itself as “the first service in the world where a car owner can rent out their vehicle for money, whenever they are not using it. WhipCar pairs approved drivers with spare car time. We screen all cars joining the service and all drivers booking cars.”

By Ken Tencer Blog, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurial Thinking, entrepreneurship, Innovation, Spyder Works, strategy, The 90% Rule No comments Tags: business, Canadian Business, Entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, Innovation, insight, Ken Tencer, The 90% Rule

Oct 10, 2011

The Innovation Challenge: Using Process Innovation to Help Fund Product Innovation

The recent round of negative economic news has many business leaders wondering if another recession is just around the corner. That could explain why a recent Gallup poll found that 30% of American workers are worried about their jobs – matching the paranoia level of mid-2009.

Wouldn’t it be easier if we could find a way to make budget without costly cutbacks and layoffs?

There is a way. Process innovation can enhance your company’s output, productivity and cash flow. But it’s important to understand the difference between cost-cutting and process innovation.

Cost-cutting is a simple accounting exercise – cut budgets, trim fat, do less – or do it less well. In tough times, cost-cutting can be ruthless and arbitrary; often, it’s done to appease stakeholders and the markets. Too often, companies “cut” their way into bigger problems as they lose marketing traction or reduce customer service and delivery satisfaction.

By Ken Tencer Blog, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurial Thinking, entrepreneurship, Innovation, Spyder Works, strategy, The 90% Rule No comments Tags: Entrepreneur, Innovation, Ken Tencer, process, product, strategy, The 90% Rule