The New, The Old, and The Dented

Here it is, time to talk about new things and I feel so old. February is my birthday month and it's one of the big ones. It must have been an innovative person who coined the phrase "40 is the new 20." Twenty - can you imagine? Thirty I might venture back to, but 20, no thanks. So in embracing my new decade, I imagine that -- due to my age -- some new and innovative products will increasingly play a roll in my life and some will pass me by.

 

Our cover story gives you a sneak peak into a new Crayola product.The company recently underwent an innovation process transformation, and I spoke with Jeff Rogers, director portfolio marketing, and Sharon DiFelice, innovation and consumer insights leader, about Crayola's legacy as an innovative company and what changes it made to ensure this continues. More and more consumer goods companies are seeking to achieve the type of environment Crayola has fostered. Innovation, while always applicable to new product development, is increasingly about business process and corporate culture, which in turn, drives successful new products. Check out our Q&A on open innovation with Kellogg Company and other examples of how technology and process are facilitating innovation in our Best Practices: Innovation section starting on page 20.

 

Let me put on my consumer hat to close out. I am a big fan of Altoids, and I always carry the mini-mints -- "curiously" stronger than the larger version.When I first started using them, the packaging proved to be somewhat difficult to open because the top dents after a few uses. I thought about complaining, but like a lot of other consumers, I never found the time. With my last purchase, I noticed the packaging had changed to be exactly what I didn't know I needed. Now, there is a slight indent on the top of the tin, perfectly sized for a finger. This enables repeated sliding of the top and no denting! Brilliant; and, I suspect, an innovation born from consumer insights, albeit not mine. What's your favorite innovation? Let us know: [email protected]