"We can't solve today’s problems by using the same thinking we used when we created them"  ... Albert Einstein
(Innovation requires unique modes of thought which continue to evolve)
"Most brainstorming is nothing but blind and erratic stumbling around"  ... G. S. Altshuller (Creator of TRIZ)
(Stop stumbling around, leverage existing inventive thinking skills and knowledge)
"Most Innovation involves creatively recombining existing components of technologies, products, processes, or business systems into something very new"  ... Willa Foster
(Lateral thinking and borrowing brilliance are great skills to learn)
"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid"  ... Albert Einstein
(Recognize, celebrate, and leverage the unique the strengths of all, especially when Innovation is needed)
"Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself" ... Chinese Proverb
(Inventive Thinking Skills aren't meant to replace the brain, just enhance it thru lateral thinking tools and perspective changing skills.)
"It's not enough to do your best; You must know what to do, and then do your best"  ... W. Edwards Deming
(When it comes to Innovation there is no "right" way to do it, but there are several wrong ways. Check out our Systematic Innovation Framework, it is a great start)
"It isn’t the consumer’s job to know what they want"  ... Steve Jobs
(Customers don't know what they want, they want what they know! It is the Innovators job to discover "future needs" through Inventive Thinking Skills and Best Practices)
"He who learns but does not think, is lost!  He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger." ... Confucious
(We believe our Systematic Innovation framework helps you learn to think and think to learn)
Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning ... Bill Gates
(Learn a technique called "PainStorming" in Step 1, it's one of over a dozen Voice of Customer tools and skills in the first stage of our Systematic Innovation Framework)
"Inventing is a combination of brains and materials. The more brains you use, the less material you need."  ... Charles F. Kettering, inventor, over 300 patents to his name
(Learn an algorithm that uses 6 rules to eliminate any part of any system, really!)
"You know you’ve achieved perfection in design, not when you have nothing more to add, but when you have nothing more to take away."  ... Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, French writer/aviator
(There are at least 6 Inventive Thinking Skills that DIRECTLY result in simpler systems, contact us to learn more)
"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he is willing to lose sight of the shore"  ... Andre Gide
(Gain critical clarity from looking at things from several unique and innovative perspectives)
"Innovation does not necessarily mean better, it could be just interestingly different"  ... Unknown
(Sometimes being interesting trumps improvement of known requirements)
"The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one"  ... Mark Twain
(Learn how our Steps 1 and 2 in our Systematic Innovation Framework do exactly that)
"If you don’t change the direction you are heading, you are likely to head exactly where you are going"  ... Chinese Proverb
(Are you happy with where you are going?, If not, give us a call!)
"Innovation is not absolutely necessary, but then again, neither is survival"  ... Andrew Papageorge
(In today's competitive landscape, Innovation is a necessary and fundamental skill)
"You don’t see something until you have the right metaphor to perceive it"  ... Robert Shaw - Chaos Theory Scientist
(Looking at a situation from different lenses adds needed and necessary clarity)
"Thoroughly conscious ignorance is the prelude to every real advance in Science"  ... James Clark Maxwell - physist
(Never overestimate your understanding of the customer or what is possible. Viewing a situation with multiple lenses can create new value.  See Steps 3 and 4 in our Systematic Innovation Framework for many new perspectives)
"The Customer rarely buys what the Company thinks it is selling him."  ... Peter Drucker
(To be successful, you must clearly understand the function (job) the product has to do for the Customer. Steps 1 and 2 in our Systematic Innovation Process are devoted to this)
"The best solution is the simplest one that works"  ... Albert Einstein
(Learn 6 unique "innovation algorithms" to simplify all systems and all processes)
"Everyone you ever meet knows something you don't" ... Bill Nye (The Science Guy)
(Don't ever believe there is nothing new to learn around Innovation and Inventive Thinking)
"I not only use all the brains I have, but all I can borrow"  ... Woodrow Wilson
(You can't do it alone!! Teamwork coupled with lateral thinking and Innovation Best Practices gives you an awesome competitive edge)
"When you innovate, be prepared for everyone to call you nuts!"  ... Unknown
(There will ALWAYS be someone to tell you WHY your idea sucks. The interesting thing is, that WHY is often very solvable!)
"When there are two courses of action, always take the third"  ... an old Proverb
(Development is full of two choice options, there are clever alternatives when you are faced with these contradictions. Using TRIZ 40 Inventive Principles, third options are abundant. This happens in Step 4 of our Systematic Innovation Framework)
"The world leaders in innovation and creativity will also be the world leaders in everything else."  ... Harold McAlindon
(If that is the case, what's in YOUR Innovation and Creativity Toolbox? Let us show you a few new ones!)
"You miss 100% of the shots you never take" ... Wayne Gretzky
(For successful Innovation you need to try many different things. Learn some new innovation skills and take the shot!)
"The purpose of business is to create a customer, the business enterprise has only two-and only two-basic functions: MARKETING and INNOVATION!"  ... Unknown
(What's in YOUR Marketing and Innovation Toolboxes?)
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face"  ... Mike Tyson
(No matter how good your plan is, to survive and thrive, you must be prepared and ready to adapt and adjust to unforeseen punches)
"Any product that needs a manual to work is broken"  ... Elon Musk
(Never underestimate the importance of the complete user experience. Deeply understand AND execute on a comprehensive understanding of Customers' Requirements.  Steps 1 and 2 in our Systematic Innovation Framework focus on the Customer's world)
"Our Brains are Wired to be Inspired."  ... Dr. S. Chapman University of Texas
(If that is the case, how are you Inspiring your team and organization? Let us show you a few ways!)
"If things seem under control, you’re just not driving fast enough" ... Mario Andretti
(You must be on the nervous edge of product development and Innovation to excel and create growth)
"Disruptive Innovations will allow less skilled or less wealthy customers do for themselves things that only the wealthy or skilled could do before."  ... Clayton Christenson
(Learn Inventive Thinking Strategies and Skills for your Incremental and Disruptive development goals)
"The key to success is to risk thinking unconventional thoughts. Convention is the enemy of progress. If you go down just one corridor of thought you never get to see what’s in the rooms leading off it."  ... Trevor Baylis, British Inventor
(We recommend using at least 3 different "methods/skills/perspectives" for any challenge. Check then out below)
"Creativity is intelligence having fun"  ... Albert Einstein
( ... and who doesn't want to have more fun! Step 4 in our Systematic Innovation Framework is full of fun new Innovation tricks and Inventive thinking skills)
"Innovation is now recognized as the single most important ingredient in any modern economy."  ... The Economist Magazine
(If that is the case, what are the best methods your company is using?)
"Life is like riding a bike, to keep your balance, you have to keep moving"  ... Albert Einstein
(Complacency and stagnation in business is dangerous, Continuous Improvement AND Continuous Innovation keeps you relevant - and they are 2 different things!)
"The future belongs to those who see possibilities before they become obvious."  ... John Scully,  former CEO Apple and Pepsi
(Learn over 3 dozen unique perspectives that uncover hidden opportunities)
"I skate where the puck's going, not where it's been"  ... Wayne Gretzky
(Innovation is about recognizing patterns and Trends. Using TRIZ Patterns of Evolution and Trend Analysis can show you where the future is. This happens in Step 4 of our Systematic Innovation Framework)
"Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see!"  ... Arthur Schopenhauer, German Philosopher
(Learn how to look at a situation from multiple different perspectives to see beyond the obvious)
"Behold the turtle, he makes progress only when he sticks his neck out"  ... James Bryant-Conant
(Innovation can only happen when you take some risk. Intelligent and calculated risk taking is an essential element of our Systematic Innovation Framework)
"The only source of knowledge is experience"  ... Albert Einstein
(Spend some time with us experiencing Inventive Thinking Skills derived from the study of thousands of brilliant inventors, creative products, and innovative organizations)
"There are no strategies for creating wealth in the long term that are not driven by Innovation"  ... Gary Hamel
(Continuous Improvement is rarely enough to succeed)
"Genius involves sufficient energy and passion that questions assumptions that have been taken for granted for a long time"  ... David Bohm, Physicist
(Learn and leverage the power of asking "Why" and "Why Not", then compliment it with the power of "AND" thinking over the typical "OR" thinking - Step 4 in our Systematic Innovation Framework)
"Whether you believe you are creative or not, you are right!"  ... Henry Ford
(There is tremendous power in an attitude, and optimism breeds more optimism.  Creativity and Innovation need optimistic attitudes and Inventive Thinking Skills)
"Those who are inspired by a model other than nature, a mistress above all masters, are laboring in vein"  ... Leonardo DaVinci
(Nature is an incredible cornucopia of evolutionary strategies and knowledge that can be translated into unique design solutions. Check out our Video Tutorial on Biomimicry, to learn more how-to's)
"Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way"  ... Edward DeBono
(Over 3 dozen Inventive Thinking Lenses exist to focus and expand your creativity - See our Step 4 for these pattern breakers)
"There’s a thin line between what (is and isn’t) possible, and to cross it you need to know the magic words, “What if”" ... Unknown
(Never say never, learn how to explore the fringes to create interesting new paradigms)
"The greatest opportunity for innovation exists before the product development process even begins" ... Unknown
(Understand your customers, the market, and competitive landscape as early as possible, learn how in Step 1 of our Systematic Innovation Framework)
Trimming Technique

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Trimming Technique

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34 min.   The Trimming Technique is not only a 6-step algorithm for cost or complexity reduction but it can also help you create interesting new concepts and solve tough problems.  One of the most versatile skills on this site!  (Watch Preview Video to the left and see description below for more detail)

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Description

 

34 Minute Video Tutorial  The Trimming Technique is one of our personal favorite tools because of it’s versatility and lateral thinking capabilities.  It is applicable for product, service and business development projects. Trimming is a 6-step algorithm for cost or complexity reduction.  It can also be used for problem solving and identification of new unique market opportunities. (We all need to reduce costs, reduce complexity and eliminate problematic elements of our system or any bureaucratic process)  The quotes to the right elegantly embody the essence and goals of the Trimming Technique.   This technique helps the problem solver foster innovative thinking by deliberately eliminating elements in a system or steps in a process which surfaces unique challenges (problem statements) that often lead to creative and innovative solutions.  Learn how to break your own psychological inertia to see things others cannot.  How can a power drill not have a trigger, or a hotel not have a person to check you in, or a car without a steering wheel?  In order to come up with breakthrough ideas you must challenge the existing assumptions and ask yourself some “uncomfortable” questions.  Trimming is perfectly suited to guide you through 6 logical directions (and over two dozen targeted questions) that show you how to eliminate ANY part of ANY system or ANY step in ANY process.  The “rules” used in Trimming were extracted from studying numerous patents, products, and companies that simplified their systems.  The subject matter was stripped and generic principles were extracted.  The hardest thing about Trimming is to give yourself permission to try.  Ask us about our automated Microsoft Excel templates or Trimming App.

Additional information

Inventive Thinking Situations

"WOW" customers / Differentiate your offering, Solve a tough technical problem, Resolve a conflict or contradiction, Circumvent a competitors patent, Reduce cost or complexity, Increase the top line with new ideas, Reduce the risk of system/process failures, Identify Growth Opportunities
Systematic Innovation Steps

2 – Situation Analysis, 4 – Idea Generation

Reviews

  1. Kevin Dutcher –

    Dave has mined all the trimming process advice out there and distilled it down into key rules. The video shows step by step, how to trim any part out of any product. Highly recommended.

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