Discussion 1 ________________________________________ Challenges, Best Practices & Strategies What are the biggest challenges facing an organization trying to become an innovator? What best practices and strategies could an organization implement to overcome its biggest challenges to innovation? Write a 300-word response to the question. Ensure you use proper grammar and APA formatting when using citations and references. Your response needs to include at least TWO academic resources to support your answer. The books count toward one of the two academic requirements. Discussion 2 ________________________________________ Importance of Innovation Review the concepts from this course and provide your explanation of why innovation is important to the success of an organization. Write a 300-word response to the question. Ensure you use proper grammar and APA formatting when using citations and references. Your response needs to include at least TWO academic resources to support your answer. The books count toward one of the two academic requirements. *Clearly label part one and part two as they should be separate on a separate page each. Required Text Christensen, C. M. (2011). The innovator’s dilemma: The revolutionary book that will change the way you do business. New York, NY: Harper Business. • Chapter 11: The dilemmas of innovation – A summary (pp. 257-262) Drucker, P. F. (2013). The discipline of innovation. In Harvard Business Review. HBR’s 10 must reads on innovation. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation. • Read: Drucker, P. F. – The Discipline of Innovation Required References Christensen, C. M., Kaufman, S. P., & Shih, W. C. (2013). Innovation killers. In Harvard Business Review. HBR’s 10 must reads on innovation. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation. Read: Christensen, C. M., Kaufman, S. P., & Shih, W. C. – Innovation Killers Oakey, R. P. (2013, May). Open innovation and its relevance to industrial research and development: The case of high-technology small firms. International Small Business Journal, 31(3), 319-336. Scholarly Article: Oakey, R. P. – Open innovation and its relevance to industrial research and development: The case of high-technology small firms State Department Documents / FIND. (2013, April). Google+ Hangout on youth entrepreneurship and innovation. Retrieved from http://elibrary.bigchalk.com.libproxy.edmc.edu Scholarly Article: State Department Documents / FIND – Google+ Hangout on youth entrepreneurship and innovation Gordon, R. (2013, February). The death of innovation, the end of growth [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/robert_gordon_the_death_of_innovation_the_end_of_growth.html Video: Gordon, R. – The Death of Innovation, The End of Growth Recommended References Philips. (n.d.). Meaningful innovation: Improving people’s lives [Image file]. Retrieved from http://www.newscenter.philips.com/pwc_nc/main/standard/resources/corporate/press/2013/SustainabilityReport/PhilipsSustainableInnovationFINAL2.jpg Infographic: Philips Meaningful Innovation Innovation champions: The world’s top 5 innovators [Image file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.infographicdesignteam.com/infographic-design-portfolio/thumb/infographic-innovation-championship.jpg Infographic: Innovation Champions Crowdsourcing. (n.d.). Crowdsourcing industry landscape [Image file]. Retrieved from http://www.crowdsourcing.org/uploads/CrowdSourcing-Industry-Landscape-v09.jpg Infographic: New Disruptive Innovation – Crowdsourcing Laine, C. (2009, October). Cat Laine: Engineering a better life for all [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/cat_laine_engineering_a_better_life_for_all.html Video: Laine, C. – Engineering a better life for all ________________________________________ Self-Check Questions to think about as you are completing your readings: 1. What are dilemmas of innovation? 2. What are possible barriers to entry when implementing an innovative initiative? 3. How do an organization’s financial tools affect an innovative initiative? 4. Why are processes, systems, and procedures important to the success of innovation?