ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
People who have read my previous books will recognize that The Little Black Book of Innovation has a distinct style. This style shift was an intentional attempt on my part to make the concepts I was describing more accessible. To maximize my chances of success, I enlisted the support of a handful of trusted advisors. I owe particular thanks to three of them: Michelle Anthony (one of my sisters), Lib Gibson, and Karl Ronn. Michelle provided incredibly helpful and detailed comments during two rapid-fire editing rounds in late 2010. As a self-proclaimed innovation novice, she helped make sure that the book explained things clearly, without too much jargon. Michelle also demonstrated a keen eye for where the first-person voice became unintentionally off-putting. Lib gave me candid, direct, and immensely valuable feedback about the first version of the manuscript. (I summarized that feedback to my wife simply as, “She hated it.”) Lib also gave me detailed guidance about how to modulate my tone so that the book didn’t come across as arrogant or dismissive. The idea for the twenty-eight day innovation program came from Lib, and she gave her blessing to the final manuscript—though she said her favorite of my small collection remains The Silver Lining. Karl’s comments—delivered as “an early Christmas present” in mid-December—were so useful they made it directly into the manuscript in several places. His unique perspective is always valuable. The team at Harvard Business Review Publishing, notably Tim Sullivan, Kevin Evers, Stephani Finks, and Allison Peter, provided its usual great support throughout the process. Special thanks to Kathleen Carr for starting the journey with me before she transitioned to her new role at Simmons College.
My deep thanks to the truly amazing team at Innosight. I feel privileged to be associated with all of you. I hope I have effectively channeled the great work done by so many project teams and the great thinking and writing by Innosight’s expanding stable of home-grown thought leaders. Special thanks go to Matthew Eyring, Mark Johnson, Joe Sinfield, Jim Dougherty, Kevin Bolen, Cathy Olofson, Tara Young, Hari Nair, and Pete Bonee for reasons each of you know well.
The companies I have had the honor of serving, the clients with whom I have enjoyed forming relationships, and the like-minded practitioners and thought leaders who share my commitment to transforming the world of innovation provide a continual source of inspiration. Special thanks to Chip Bergh, Patrick Blair, Bruce Brown, Ken Dobler, Brad Gambill, George Glackin, David Goulait, Vijay Govindarajan, Melanie Healey, Maurizio Marchesini, Rita McGrath, Keyne Monson, Bernard Nee, J. P. Orbeta, Teo Ming Kian, Peter Sims, Dave Ulmer, Colin Watts, Francis Yeoh, and Christoph Zrenner.
I am deeply appreciative of my long-term mentors—Clayton Christensen, Clark Gilbert, and Richard Foster—each of whom teaches me something new in every conversation.
Last, but certainly not least, thanks to my family. My parents, siblings, and in-laws make me feel like I’m around the corner from home, even though I now live thousands of miles away. Special thanks to my brother Michael—you know why. And, of course, to my immediate family. Charlie, your boundless enthusiasm is a perpetual source of inspiration. Holly, you melt my heart on a daily basis. Harry, we were so happy to welcome you to the world while I was writing this book. Teddy, we were equally overjoyed with your arrival while updating the paperback version! And Joanne: Every time I leave you it breaks my heart; every time we talk when I am on the road it lifts me up; every time I step off a plane back home I feel re-energized. To our next adventure.
Third Floor, The American Club, Singapore
November 2016