Relentless Innovation: What Works, What Doesn’t--And What That Means For Your Business

Chapter 9Shifting Your Operating Model to Balance Efficiency and Innovation

Throughout this book, I’ve presented Google, Apple, 3M, Procter & Gamble, and Gore as successful, relentless innovators. What’s surprising is how different these firms are from one another. They are in different markets, with unique characteristics and offerings. Some have charismatic leaders and others have CEOs you wouldn’t notice walking down the street. Some participate in highly competitive markets with aggressive competitors and others have a large share of their market space. These innovation leaders are dramatically different in how they derive sales and profits:

• Google’s from advertising

• Apple’s from selling consumer electronics and content

• 3M’s from basic ...