Innovation as Risk Management for Future Revenues
Note from Raj Echambadi: The original title of this post was “Innovation is THE output not just means to the output.” I shared this post with Kurt Bock, CEO of COUNTRY Financial, who suggested this alternative title. Many thanks to Kurt for the title that I think best captures the intent of the post.
Marc Andreessen of Netscape fame (an alumnus of the University of Illinois) said something great on the Charlie Rose show last week.
Crowdfunding: A Win for Startups?
The Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership (AEL) at the University of Illinois, in partnership with the Illinois EMBA program, hosted a forum on crowdfunding on May 10th. A panel of experts from the Chicago entrepreneurship community answered questions from faculty moderators before a group of nearly 100 people at the Illini Center. The insights generated were tremendous.
For insights on the potential impact of equity based crowdfunding on entrepreneurship, check out this short video.
A (gigapixel) picture is worth more than a million (?) words!
Many of us are fairly comfortable with the 12-megapixel photos produced by our digital cameras.
Researchers from Duke University and the University of Arizona have unveiled the world’s first gigapixel camera. This camera is a major exercise in innovation. When we want a bigger picture, we use wide angle lenses that capture a wider visual field but form clear images as well. Increasing sizes of lenses create blurs and the best lenses tend to reduce these blurs as much as they can but they can get pretty expensive. Moreover high resolution lenses are huge in size limiting their practicality.
Microsoft Surface: A Wise Move?
Microsoft unveiled a new tablet “Surface” last week. This is Microsoft’s first major foray into developing serious computer hardware and a serious attempt to stem the rising dominance of Apple that holds a commanding 62% share in the tablet industry through its iPads. Surface is to run on either Windows RT or Windows 8 that promises a seamless experience from the desktops to the mobile devices including smartphones and tablets. Surface also has a keyboard and a kickstand that makes it easier to prop the tablet on the table and work.
Comparing Apples and Pennies
J. C. Penney has embarked on a new pricing strategy by eliminating the constant discounting with its version of everyday low prices. Initial results are dismal. The number of people coming into J.C. Penney has dropped by 10 percent and sales have fallen by an average of 19 percent.
