Leapfrogging

May 28, 2012
Innovation consultant Kaplan has spent 20 years working with corporations, startups, nonprofits, and health care organizations, encouraging others to make their peace with surprise and innovation. In addition to extolling the benefits of positive surprises, Kaplan advocates for developing an environment in which innovators can create something new or do something different that produces a significant leap forward—leapfrogging. He walks readers through his seven phases of breakthroughs—sparks of surprise, engaged exploration, tangible focus, fear and doubt, the failure zone, market surprise, and breakthrough—working to get them past the problem. He holds up examples of successful consumer surprise and delight: the Nintendo Wii, Method soap, Toyota Prius, iPads, the Swiffer. Though his campaigning for fearless innovation and flexibility is compelling, there’s not enough material for a full-fledged book. Readers may find themselves energized and excited to make a start, but this offering is short on follow-up.