Dominos online order tracking

Noticed this fantastic innovation last night when ordering a domino's online!

Domino's offer the opportunity for customers to track their order online. All you do is follow the link that you get after ordering online and they show you when your pizza is being prepared, cooked, at quality control and then on delivery. This allows many great advantages as people know exactly what stage their pizza is at and most of all when it is on its way allowing people to prepare to eat it, for example, getting the kids out of their rooms or setting the table! The online process also shows you the price then if you hadn't already paid online then you know exactly how much money you need for when the delivery driver gets to your door! It's Fantastic!

This is a very clever innovation and must take a lot of technology to make work as workers will have to record which stage each pizza is at! But in my opinion it is a very good idea!

Here is my order from last night!

Tesco Clubcard

Supermarkets have always kept track of how people shop and Tesco is one of those with their Tesco Clubcard scheme. The clubcard allows for customers to to receive points for every pound they spend and when they reach 150 points, they receive a £1.50 clubcard voucher in which they can spend in store, at Tesco petrol stations, online at tesco.com and at tesco direct. Tiy can also spend them on the clubcard rewards which range from holiays to meals out, hotels to cinema tickets. The clubcard isn't just available on card. It also is available as an app for the iphone which allows customers to scan there phone at the till allowing them to receive more points!

The clubcard is run by Dunnhumby Ltd. operates the Tesco Clubcard scheme: using data collected from the scheme, Tesco can predict when people will shop, how they'll pay for their items and even how many calories they will consume. The clubcard also measures wehter they take advantage of deals on offer and everything along them lines.

On the Dunnhumby ltd. Website they state that they have access to the shopping behaviour of 13, households, item’level purchase from Tesco Clubcard.hey put genius into making sure Tesco gets to know and treat their essential customers better than anyone else. This has a dramatic impacts on their performance becase we

    ·  Drive sales through more focused, effective marketing, in store advertising

    · Save money through less marketing spend wasted on people who are not likely to respond to those offers

    ·   Identify trends and opportunities to increase ‘share of wallet’

     Therefore, In my opinion I feel the Tesco Clubcard is such a great scheme and great idea ran by them! It really does put them that one step ahead of the rest and this is what allows them to have the largest market share over all of their competitors comfortably! 

      

     Here is the Tesco Clubcard website, take a look into it it shows all the rewards you can receive! 

      http://www.tesco.com/

     Further reading: 

     http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2802027/Dunnhumby-profits-soar-on-Clubcard.htm

     

     References:

]]

     Tesco Clubcard, [online] Availiable from:  http://www.tesco.com/ Date Accessed: 17/1/2012

     Dunhumby, [online] Availaible from: http://www.dunnhumby.com/uk/our-clients-industry-focus Date Accessed: 17/1/2012

Innovation in Golf

The innovation in golf has really been dramatic over the years and has made it into a sport that it is today in which people see as exciting and interesting!

Innovation has affected golf for not just the players; it has also affected the way in which courses are prepared by grounds men and for the greater watching of the viewer! Here are just a few of those great innovations which I like the most!

Cups painted white

Starting with the innovation for the viewer, CBS producer Frank Chirkinian in the early 1960s started having the cups painted white at tournaments so that TV viewers could see them.  This helps a lot when watching golf on the television from my view as it makes it so much easier to see rather than if it was just a natural hole! 

Synthetic putting greens

Synthetic turf, called Chemgrass (later AstroTurf) was first installed in 1964; today low-maintenance synthetic greens allow viewers and golfers to practice their putting in their own house or garden whenever they want. The putting greens have been very popular with people and have branched out into other versions for example now with felt based putting greens people can use indoors and move around whenever.

Europe added to Ryder Cup

In 1979, Europe was added to the Ryder cup format when Jack Nicklaus suggested the team be expanded from Great Britain & Ireland to the whole of Europe. Since then the Ryder Cup has been a hugely watched spectacle watched across many countries and can be classed a great innovation to improve the contest with the addition of the extra countries.

Leaders teeing off last

Can you imagine if the leader teed off first on the last day of a tournament and finishes 10 shots ahead of you? How frustrated and demoralised you would feel. Therefore in 1965 the concept was changed with Gary Player and Frank Beard teeing off last at Bellerive. It also encourages a better tournament as people behind the leader try there hardest to get in front and those golfers above or just below the leaders score after their round have the opportunity to still win even without playing, therefore this can make dramatic television watching! Also it encourages the winner to finish last and to have the last put/shot of the whole tournament so he or she then knows they have won and can celebrate. In my eyes a great idea and makes the sport a lot more interesting on the final day of a competition.

Riding mowers

The innovation of the riding mowers  has really gone through 3 stages as in 1968, Jacobsen Manufacturing described its Greens King as the world's first riding triplex greens mower, meaning fewer people could cut more putting surfaces much faster. Then in the late '70s, somebody decided to use them on fairways, and by the late '80s the industry had developed lightweight, compact fairway rigs that mow tight and leave distinctive stripes. Today mowers make jobs for grounds men so much easier as instead of just using pushing mowers then can cover a lot of distance in width and quicker than they would with a push mower.

Yardages

In the 1940s, crack amateur Gene Andrews began pacing off yardages and using them to help club selection.  This caught on in 1958with fellow amateur and future PGA Tour commissioner Deane Beman, and more significantly, with Nicklaus in 1961. Courses soon began installing 150-yard markers along fairways. Today, thanks to marked sprinkler heads, yardage books and on-cart range finders, even the most bumbling hacker has a yardage in mind for each approach shot.  The yardages for a golfer are everything today, knowing how far to the hole they are away and knowing how far they are able to hit each club allows for them to land as close to the hole of whenever they want on the fair way at any time

Lightweight dual-strap bags

Bags are lighter and better due to the lightweight dual-strap bags! The straps allow for a golfer to carry his bag on both shoulders without using his hands and balancing on the one shoulder. The straps are also very padded allowing for comfort when carry clubs around the golf course. Very good innovation, such a simple idea.

Golf carts

The golf buggy/cart innovation! Such a clever idea, these carts have transformed golf. They allow people who can't walk five miles to continue to play. They also pay a big part on the business of golf and  their revenue can make the difference between profit and loss. Gas carts have largely been replaced by more eco-friendly electric ones; solar-powered models are starting to appear.

Graphite shafts

The light golf club, graphite shafts have replaced that of all steel and wood clubs and have been a revelation to all golf players.  Especially the old, young or weak golfer as it allows them to be able to lift and swing the club with no strain. They were invented in 1969 by Frank Thomas -- later the USGA's technical director -- the mixture of composite fibers and resin resulted in shafts that today can weigh a third of their steel counterparts.

Big-headed drivers

Moving on from the lighter shaft now allows for  more distance. The big headed drivers stretch back to 1991 when Ely Callaway theorized that a bigger driver might help golfers; his chief designer, Dick Helmstetter, produced a club in with a head that was a third larger than anything else in the market. The Big Bertha, it cost twice as much as the leading metal wood at the time, and it still sold more than any driver in history. Since this wood heads have been massive and very popular with all golfers who love a big drive!

Plastic cleats

Faris McMullin and Ernie Deacon had an idea in 1991 to prevent the damage metal spikes did to greens during winter golf; Softspikes launched nationally two years later. This fantastic innovation allows for smoother putting surfaces with less deep holes which can deviate the path of the golf ball when putting; greater comfort; lighter, more athletic golf shoes; and far less wear and tear around the clubhouse. 

Golf balls

Golf balls have been a major part of innovation in golf currently there are 850 models of golf balls. Old golf balls used to be made with a solid or liquid-filled core which was wound with a layer of rubber thread and had a thin outer shell however the modern golf balls now due to innovation consist of several layers of urethane blends. They are usually classified as two-piece, three-piece, or four-piece ball according to the number of layers. The solid-core, multilayer urethane-covered ball allows distance and feel.

Another innovation is with the Golf ball dimples which were patented in 1908 by William Taylor. These dimples create turbulence, which reduces drag when struck by the club.  They increase distance and accuracy. This is exactly what every golfer wants a more direct, accurate and long drive or shot especially when playing in the hardest of courses. Having a good ball can be the difference between taking 5 shots instead of 4 shots on a hole in my opinion.

 

http://thesandtrap.com/b/trap_five/most_impactful_innovations_in_golf

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-tours-news/2011-03/photos-my-five-polarizing-rules#slide=5
http://www.golfprogroup.com/main.htm
http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/2010-09/top-60-innovations-1
http://www.trendhunter.com/slideshow/golf-innovations-trends#2

H&M online dressing rooms!

I was exploring the internet the other day when I came across this brand new innovation by H&M on their company website! It is a virtual dressing room. The virtual dressing room allows you to chose between either 24 different women and 12 men hopefully to find the one who looks just like you(or similar) and you can try on all of the clothes that they have online! It is fantastic.The models start just in their underwear and you can add on as many items of clothes which you like to see how they fit how and how they look on. The innovation allows you to have a full 360 degrees look of that clothing which you also like.  Lastly, you are able to save the look that you like and can share it online with your friends!

Here is the website give it a try for yourself:http://www.hm.com/gb/dressingroom/

Here are a few examples of the innovation in use:

The models start out in their underwear 

Then it is completely up to you to decide through thousands of different items and dress up your model in the clothes you like! Here is one I did when messing around with the website.

The process of designing the look

Lastly, this is the screen you see.
To the left hand side is all the different peices of clothing to chose from (e.g. shirts, tops, shorts etc.) and on the left hand side is the items within those sections which you can search through to find the item which you like! Aswell as the model being in the middle of the screen it also shows the price of each item used then the total of how much they come to, this allows you see the overall cost of your look!

Screen image of what you see!

I understand that this blog is a bit different to others but what a great idea hey! Being able to see your clothes on, before you buy them! Lets you see how things fit and how the match with others! I know from my opinion I always want to see how they fit as when you buy online you just see them laid out on a table but seeing them on somebody is brilliant! Fantastic idea, really hope others follow in their footsteps with this one!

Hope you enjoyed this. Have a go yourself the link is at the top of the blog!

The innovation Imperative

The innovation imperative

Innovation is the process of translating ideas into useful – and used – new products, processes or services.  Our lifestyles are constantly shaped and reshaped by the process of innovation.

Innovation is a survival imperative. If an organisation doesn’t change what it offers the world and the ways in which it creates and delivers its offering it could well be in trouble as others may overtake, and innovation contributes to competitive success in many different ways – it’s a strategic resource in getting the organisation where it is trying to go.  (Bessant J and Tidd J, 2007, 4)

Innovation is the specific tool of entrepreneurs, the means by which they exploit change as an opportunity for a different business or service. It is capable of being presented as a discipline, capable of being learned, capable of being practised   (Drucker P.F, 1985, 17)

One person’s problem is another’s opportunity. The skill to spot opportunities and create new ways to exploit them is at the heart of the innovation process. Innovation is driven by the ability to see connections, to sport opportunities and to take advantage of them. Entrepreneurs are risk takers.

However innovations aren’t just about opening up new markets; there are also big opportunities in stablished and mature ones. For example that of Ryanair and Easyjet have revolutionised air travel with low budget flights saving customers money on their travels.

Innovation can also be seen services as well as products. A good example of this can be that of internet banking, internet banking has revolutionised the way in which people bank today. It saves going into town to the nearest bank/cash point, it allows the customer to check their balance and make transactions from different accounts which they own or even that to other people’s accounts.

It’s not just the internet banking there are many other services such as:

Amazon – Pretty much everything you can imagine, Amazon has it and delivers straight to your door, meaning you don’t even have to leave your house! This online retailing service which started off as just an online bookstore, now sells DVDs, CDs, MP3 downloads, video games ,computer software, clothes, shoes and jewellery, sports and outdoors equipment,  food, toys for old and young, furniture, technology ( laptops etc) and many, many more!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/

eBay – eBay is an online auction and shopping/ market trading website which gives users the opportunities to bid for products to get that as cheap as they can! There is also an option for users to buy now as well meaning that they do not have to sit around and keep bidding on an item. It sells around the same things as Amazon just the only difference being that with eBay being an auction site!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/

Google – Through the use of Google companies have been able to advertise their companies down the side of the search engine advertising on the internet.

Skype – Skype has allowed people to speak to each other over the internet for free! Phone calls can be made through skype by just having a microphone built into your company or plugged in. It also allows for you to see that person also if they have a webcam. This great innovation has allowed people to connect from all over the world at any time! For example they are able to see their family or loved ones when they are away from home (at university or working away).

Read more about skype here: http://www.skype.com/intl/en-gb/home

Clothes shops – many clothes shops no offer the opportunity to shop online. This allows users to browse through the stock off that company and purchases the products directly through the internet. This is a great service to the user as they can just buy online and get the product delivered straight to their door.

Here are a few examples:

http://www.topshop.com

http://www.riverisland.com/Online/

Travel agents –  allowing you to look at all different holidays instead of searching through countless number of brochures then having to go in to the travel agents you can now book you holiday and flights all through the internet.

Here is an example:

http://www.thomascook.com/


Innovation is also about three core themes

Generating new ideas – could come from inspiration, listening to user needs, frontier research or combining existing ideas into something new.

Selecting the good ones – Innovation is fraught with uncertainty and guesswork and the only way to find out whether or not something is a good bet is to start developing it.  Therefore is a strategic choice.

Implementing them – taking it from an idea into an actual product or in use service.

Therefore, overall Innovative organisations do not happen by chance. They are the end products of good leadership and management. The essence lies in getting the balance right between freedom and order, between the anatomy of the parts and the integrity of the whole. 

Books used:

Bessant J and Tidd J, (2011) Innovation and entrepreneurship, second edition, Chichester, West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons.

Bessant J and Tidd J, (2007) Innovation and entrepreneurship, Chichester, West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons.

Drucker. P.F, (1985), Innovation and Entrepreneurial, Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann

Adair J 2007Leadership for Innovation: How to Organize Team Creativity and Harvest Ideas London: Talbot Adair Press

Steve Jobs (1955-2011) Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower! My favourite quotes!

It can be argued that Steve Jobs was the greatest innovator of all time and in my opinion has produced some of the most inspiring quotes known when it comes to innovation! Here are a few of my favourite ones!

"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."

"You can’t just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they’ll want something new.”

"Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations."

"Innovation comes from people meeting up in the hallways or calling each other at 10:30 at night with a new idea, or because they realized something that shoots holes in how we've been thinking about a problem."

"Pretty much, Apple and Dell are the only ones in this industry making money. They make it by being Wal-Mart. We make it by innovation."

"Our primary goal here is to make the world's best PCs -- not to be the biggest or the richest.

Innovation has nothing to do with how many R amp&; D dollars you have. When Apple came up with the Mac, IBM was spending at least 100 times more on R & D. It's not about money. It's about the people you have, how you're led, and how much you get it."

"An iPod, a phone, an internet mobile communicator... these are NOT three separate devices! And we are calling it iPhone! Today Apple is going to reinvent the phone. And here it is."

"And it comes from saying no to 1,000 things to make sure we don't get on the wrong track or try to do too much. We're always thinking about new markets we could enter, but it's only by saying no that you can concentrate on the things that are really important."

"First was the mouse. The second was the click wheel. And now, we're going to bring multi-touch to the market. And each of these revolutionary interfaces has made possible a revolutionary product - the Mac, the iPod and now the iPhone."

"Japan's very interesting. Some people think it copies things. I don't think that anymore. I think what they do is reinvent things. They will get something that's already been invented and study it until they thoroughly understand it. In some cases, they understand it better than the original inventor."

"Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith."

"There are so many more all over the internet and within these specific websites below! They are definitely worth a read the man was a genius and an inspiration to many."

http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/oct2004/nf20041012_4018_db083.htm

http://www.innovationmanagement.se/2011/08/16/25-inspiring-innovation-quotes/

http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2010/05/31/100-awesome-quotes-on-what-it-takes-to-innovate/

http://quotationsbook.com/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/steve-jobs/8810049/Steve-Jobs-key-quotes.html

Dyson Airblade

"You put your hands under other dryers, rub them a bit, then give up and wipe your hands on your trousers. It's something that's always annoyed me" James Dyson


The Dyson Airblade is one of the fantastic innovations by Dyson.  This is a hand dyer but with a difference. Instead of the conventional dyer which blows out hot air to dry the hands this blows out two sheets of unheated air which travel at 400mph, effectively scraping the water off your hands and only takes 10 seconds to dry! I personally have used one of these and find them a fantastic innovation and very effective. 

This is it:
Watch the animation on the opening page which shows how the dryer works. As the famous saying goes actions speak louder than words!


http://www.dysonairblade.co.uk/

Since its release, the Dyson Airblade has won several awards including the Best Overall Product at Interbuild 2007and Best workplace product innovation.


The Airblade is very environmentally friendly also and is thought to use up to 83% less energy than conventional dryers and be cheaper to run than using paper towels.It also removes 99.9% on bacteria from air used to dry hands! What more could you possibly ask for?


 For a detailed description into how the Airblade works follow this link which has a great description followed by very detailed animation. 
http://www.dysonairblade.co.uk/technology/howitworks.asp 

This is a BBC article for the the Airblade was released: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/5402024.stm 


Another fantastic design by Dyson, shows the company is really moving forward. After using one myself I really did notice the difference you could feel the air dragging the water off your hands so easily like window wipers and saved so much time having to stand around waiting for them to dry. In my opinion such a brilliant innovation, definitely leading the way in hand dryers!