Twelve Books on Innovation for Your Holiday Gift List

With the holidays approaching, here are an even dozen of my favorite books on creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship to put on your holiday gift list if they are not already in your library.  Most of these are recent books that emphasize the basic principles and emerging best practices of innovation. 

Business Model Generation by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur.  This book presents the business model canvas for visually representing the business model and spurring innovation.  The canvas concept is brilliant and is the hottest thing going these days.  This one is a must read as it appears to me that the awareness and use of the canvas outside the U.S. is far greater than it is here.

The Lean Startup by Eric Reis. Another must have book that has expanded the approaches and language of entrepreneurship to include the ‘lean startup’, ‘minimum viable product’, and ‘pivot’.

The Ten Faces of Innovation by Tom Kelley.  A great book from the IDEO world that identifies that innovation is a team activity and a team with diverse backgrounds and experiences is essential.

The Innovators DNA by Jeff Dyer, Hal Gregersen, and Clayton Christensen.  A good one in the Clayton Christensen series that proposes that all great innovators possess the ‘discovery’ skills – observing, associating, questioning, networking, and experimenting.  We think discipline and systems competencies are also needed for innovation in a technical environment.  (Innovation Competencies)

Ten Types of Innovation by Larry Keeley.  A book that is simple in concept but clearly identifies that the approaches of innovation apply in all areas of the enterprise and market.

101 Design Methods by Vijay Kumar.  This book includes the influence of systems thinking in innovation and presents a model for integrating the design methods presented.  I prefer the innovation canvas as a framework and better for integrating design and market thinking, but still on the right track and a good book.

InGenius by Tina Selig.  This book captures current thinking and best practices on inspiring creativity.  I keep forgetting but the book reminds me of the very simple but effective thought of how you pose questions and lead discussions can inspire or inhibit creativity.

The Business Model Innovation Factory by Saul Kaplan.  The book notes that every organization really needs a business model and should focus on constantly experimenting and revising that model to ensure survival and prosperity.

The Innovation Master Plan by Langdon Morris.  This book takes a comprehensive look at developing the structure, practices, and culture necessary for creativity and innovation across the enterprise.

The Sketchnote Handbook by Mike Rohde.  A book that is a true visual treat that introduces visual note taking.  I’m not very good at it but am working on it.

Change by Design by Tim Brown.  This book provides a look into the IDEO way of thinking and proposes that ‘design thinking’ can serve as the framework for inspiring innovation throughout the enterprise. 

The Coming Jobs War by Jim Clifton.  While it’s all in the definition, this book reminds us that the success and prosperity of cities and nations in the future will depend on job creation - the combination of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship to create successful business models.
 

Following the guideline of always deliver more than you promise, here are a few more to consider.

Out of the Crisis by W. Edwards Deming.  I’m a huge Deming admirer.  Similar to the perception of ‘innovation’ today, he worked in a time when ‘quality’ was the cringeworthy buzzword of the day.  His focus may have been applications in improving quality, but many of his 14 Points and other thoughts written some 30 years ago are related to innovation best practices that we are rediscovering today.  It was Deming who bluntly noted “It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory.”

The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz.  Never heard of this one?  Written in 1960, this personal development book sounds slightly dated in places but offers simple and positive messages for innovators including focusing on action, experimenting, and overcoming failure.   

The Innovation Canvas - A Tool to Develop Integrated Product Designs and Business Models  by Bill Kline, Cory Hixson, et al.  The Innovation Canvas is a visual framework centered on value creation.  It improves business performance by integrating the key themes of design and market thinking.  We haven’t received our book offer yet but I’m sure it’s in the mail.  I am obviously biased but I think this is worth a read.  Available for download from ASEE here (Innovation Canvas)