3 reasons why Pittsburgh #startups should attend this week’s Open Innovation Forum Event

1. Does your hardware or software start-up business model include the possibility of licensing to third parties?  Gain valuable insights from Yet2.com - a leader in online selling/sourcing of technology.
2. Are you looking to lower the execution risk for your start-up? It might make sense to explore the possibility of licensing some technology to lower execution risks, learn about an important resource to start your technology search. 
3. Do you plan to eventually sell your company or technology to a large company? Benefit from hearing real experiences in how to do it, what works and what doesn't. 

Don't miss this opportunity - Click here to register

ABOUT THE EVENT:

Open Innovation - A Valuable Tool For Growth That Few Companies Have Yet Mastered

Presented by: Tim Bernstein, COO, YET2.com
When: March 12, 2014 at 5:00 PM
Where: Regional Learning Alliance at Cranberry Woods

About the Speaker 
Tim Bernstein joined yet2.com in 2001 and serves as a member of the leadership team and board of the company. Tim leads yet2.com's technology transfer and scouting services. Areas of particular focus include the development of value-added upgrades to yet2.com’s technology acquisition scouting offerings for yet2.com's 'buyside' clients, and facilitating technology transfer deals. Tim delivers thought leadership on topics including deal-making, large-to-small-company interactions, innovation benchmarking, and open innovation best practices. Tim also sits on the boards of two yet2Ventures portfolio companies.
 
In addition to Tim's hands-on experience, he has an educational background in the IP industry including his Masters Thesis, which recommended improved licensing strategies for technology licensing out of universities. Prior to yet2.com, Tim designed and launched educational and enterprise software offerings for high-tech startup companies in Boston and in Silicon Valley. In addition to a Masters in Public Policy from the Kennedy School at Harvard, Tim has an MBA from Stanford University with an emphasis on entrepreneurial studies, and a BA from Yale University in Economics and Political Science...

March 12 Event - Open Innovation: A Valuable Tool For Growth That Few Have Mastered

Open Innovation
A Valuable Tool For Growth That Few Have Mastered

Presented by: Tim Bernstein, CEO, YET2.com
March 12, 2014
Regional Learning Alliance at Cranberry Woods 

Harnessing innovation to provide systemic growth seems to challenge many organizations today. Open Innovation (OI) can be a valuable tool in the innovation arsenal. However, though many companies have tried, few companies have figured out a repeatable formula for actually implementing OI successfully. 
Many companies have cut back significantly on their efforts in the face of limited success. For the few companies that are finding success, Yet2 has observed a set of four themes that seem to be key to enabling a successful OI system, and include:

• Resourcing
• Strategy
• Managing Corporate Immune Response
• Enabling Individual Contributors

Drawing on Yet2.com's history, Tim will show that OI is not a theoretical construct. It is a full contact sport. Success requires dedicated preparation, practice and planning. He will compare and contrast examples of successful responses to common OI challenges to more common and less effective ones. Tim will show that both small and large companies can be very good at OI.
Learn what not to do and what a successful formula looks like for implementing a value-adding Open Innovation system into your corporate innovation arsenal.

Schedule of Events

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.     Registration Open and Networking
5:00 - 6:30 p.m.     Presentation and QA  

Registration Fees 

	Advanced Registration	On-Site   Registration
MEMBERS	$25	$30
NON-MEMBERS	$40	$45
STUDENT	$10	$15

REGISTER TODAY

Press Release: Pittsburgh PDMA to Host Regional Premiere of Critically Acclaimed Documentary “Design & Thinking” at New Hazlett Theater on Jan. 29th

Movie event includes a panel discussion following the film and marks the first of more than seven PDMA educational events slated for 2014  

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania – January 22, 2014 – The Pittsburgh Chapter of the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) will host the regional premiere of critically acclaimed documentary “Design & Thinking” on January 29^th at the New Hazlett Theater. Following the screening, an expert panel of local product developers and designers will provide individual perspectives on the connection between design and new product innovation.

PDMA is dedicated to sharing knowledge and best practices through professional development, education, collaboration, and networking opportunities.  This event will bring together product development professionals, practitioners, academics, service providers, and students to explore the idea of “design thinking” and share experiences.

The “Design & Thinking” reveals design principles through the eyes of businessmen, designers, social change-makers and individuals.  The film examines what design thinking is, how it is applied in business models, and how people are changing the world with their creative minds.

Doors will open at 4:00 pm for networking.  The movie will begin at 5:00 pm.  The panel discussion following the screening will include:  Colburn Jones, Manager of Product Design, Marketing and Product Management at Aesynt; Dino Mariano, Design Director and Senior Industrial Designer at Bally Design; and Eric Anderson, Carnegie Mellon University Associate Professor of Industrial Design, Co-director of the Integrated Innovation Institute, Co-director of the Master of Integrated Innovation for Products and Services (formerly Master of Product Development), Program Associate Dean of the College of Fine Arts, Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), Member of the IDSA Academy of Fellows.  They will engage the audience in thought-provoking conversation design failures, the future of design, and the changing design requirements of business, culture and society.

Throughout the year, PDMA Pittsburgh sponsors educational and social events where individuals can develop new skills, learn best practices, and network with peers.  More than 10 events are scheduled for 2014.  Future topics include open innovation, the use of startup accelerators, branding for changing times, and using Big Data to address customer needs. Product development and design companies are encouraged to participate in PDMA events throughout the year.   This results in professional growth for individuals, an innovation-related competitive advantage for their enterprises, and the continued economic growth of the Western Pennsylvania Region.

To learn more about the “Design & Thinking” movie event and other upcoming Pittsburgh Chapter events, log onto www.pdma.org.

About PDMA Pittsburgh

The Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) is a professional association dedicated to improving the effectiveness of individuals and organizations involved with product development, product management, and innovation.  The association’s mission is to improve the effectiveness of individuals and organizations in product development and management by providing resources for professional development, information, collaboration and promotion of new product development and management.  The Pittsburgh Chapter is dedicated to the continued to growth of a strong network of local product developers and managers while providing leadership to the next generation.

                                                                                      

Media contact:    

Andi Durkota

412-855-8687

pghpdma@pdma.org

 Download the Press Release: http://www.slideshare.net/PDMApittsburgh/pdma-pgh-news-release-final3-012214

Nominate an Outstanding Corporate Innovator

PDMA is looking for the 2014 Outstanding Corporate Innovator. 

This prestigious award recognizes companies with sustained quantifiable business results from new products and services. Past award winners have proven to be exceptional at integrating strategy, people, process, and technology to consistently turn creative ideas into successful products.

A company of any size and in any industry that meets the following criteria would be considered a candidate for the award:

• Sustained success in launching new products over a five-year time frame
• Significant company growth from new products                                          
• Well defined new product development practices and processes that can be described to others
• Distinctive innovative characteristics and intangibles                               

Self-nominations are encouraged.  Deadline is March 3, 2014.  Winners will be recognized and will share best practices at the 38^th International Conference in Denver, Colorado in October 2014. To learn more about the award and submit a nomination form, log onto: www.pdma.org

Recommended Readings – Top 2013 Picks From PDMA Pittsburgh Board Members

Articles

1. "Slow Ideas: Some ideas spread fast. How do you speed the ones that don't?"  by Atul Gawande.  New Yorker.  July 29, 2013.

Important ideas that attack problems that are complex and invisible to most people tend to get stalled.  Using examples from the medical field, Gawande explains why social processes are the key to getting good ideas to spread.  Using door-to-door and person-to-person approaches are more effective than mass media information campaigns.  Assigning mentors to work with inexperienced employees and customers is another great way to successfully accelerate the pace of innovation.

2.  "How Google Uses Data to Build a Better Worker" by Chris Durose.  The Atlantic.  October 7, 2013.

This article examines ways that Google's Human Resources Department, known as People Operations, uses analytics to create a more productive and innovative culture.  The article highlights the statistic that shows how Google's analytical team demonstrated that their top technologists can perform up to 300 times better than the average employee!  This shows how important employee attraction and retention is for sustained success.  Google is now using big data to try to determine what makes a high-performing team.  To be successful, it will become increasingly important in the future for all HR functions in SMEs and large companies to develop this analytical competency that Google is establishing.

3. "Why Organizations Should Embrace Randomness Like Ant Colonies" by Andrew J. Smart.   Harvard Business Review Blog Network.  September 13, 2013.

Andrew Smart makes a compelling case about how a strict top-down, planning-oriented company can smother growth and innovation.  He uses the example of ants, which are one of the most successful species on the planet, to show how “leaderless” colonies learn and flourish.  Randomness is anathema to the standardization mantra permeating most large industrial organization.  Yet, the author believes it is a key element for new learning.  We learn more as people and organizations when we are surprised.  Control oriented companies will slow innovation and become victimized by smaller, more agile competitors.

4. “The 20 Smartest Things Jeff Bezos Has Ever Said” by Morgan Housel.  The Motley Fool.  September 9, 2013.

Amazon is one of the most innovative companies in the world due in large part to the leadership of Jeff Bezos.  This article compiles several nuggets of wisdom that can apply to any business.  It’s clear from the quotations cited in this article that long-term thinking and customer centricity are two important themes to Amazon’s success.  One of the great quotes you’ll read in the article is… “We’ve had three big ideas at Amazon that we’ve stuck with for 18 years, and they’re the reason we are successful:  Put the customer first.  Invent.  And be patient.”

Books

1.   The Numbers Game:  Why Everything You Know About Soccer is Wrong by Chris Anderson and David Sally.  Penguin Books.  July 30, 2013.

This book has been described as the Moneyball book for soccer.  It illustrates how some professional soccer teams are using big data and analytics to improve the performance of their clubs.  The statistical analysis challenges some of the sport’s conventional wisdom such as the importance of ball control, which is not as critical as limiting turnovers in the defensive end of the field.  The most important lesson from the book that can be applied to the business environment and new product development teams is the idea of weak link theory.  The authors show that teams that invest too much of their limited payroll in superstar players without having adequate supporting players do not perform as well as teams with more balanced skill levels.  The book states that championships are won by the role players who are often overlooked.  Likewise, when constructing a team or an organization in business, it’s important to remember that you will require contributions from all individuals and that performance can be greatly limited by one or two weak links in the structure. 

A Message from the PDMA Chapter President - Randy Rossi, Bally Design

It was another great year for our Chapter! I'd like to extend a sincere thank you to PDMA members, students, guests and sponsors for your support throughout 2013.  Your participation and engagement throughout the year, coupled with the dedication and leadership from our Board Members, help us accelerate the contribution that innovation makes to the economic and professional growth of people, businesses and societies in our region.

We continue to strive to bring you the latest thinking and insights into the issues and topics most relevant to anyone involved in product development.  Innovation excellence is a phenomenon that every company wants more of and yet, whether large or small, public or private companies struggle with what it is and how it happens. It's a dichotomy - on one hand, innovation comes from the relatively loose "fuzzy" front end but also requires a highly structured and disciplined back end. Although organizations look to put innovation policies, processes and practices in place, there is still ambiguity, disconnects and limited sustainable success.

One of the new developments from PDMA (in conjunction with the Total Innovation Management (TIM) Foundation) that we are really excited about is the introduction of the "International Innovation Management Standard."  This new standard is designed to help organizations pragmatically organize all innovation activities to improve innovation performance.  It provides structure with uniform guidelines, tools, processes and terminology, but can be tailored to meet a company's unique needs. Our Chapter will roll out more information on the International Innovation Management Standard in 2014, so please check the website and event calendar in the months ahead to learn more.

As we look ahead to 2014, our Programming Committee has another excellent slate of events coming up.  We will be starting the year off with a regional premiere of the documentary "Design & Thinking."  We've also assembled a panel of design professionals to discuss the film and the design process immediately following the movie. This event is scheduled for January 29th, and if you register before December 23rd, you'll have a chance to win two tickets to the December 29th Steelers Game. 

Other future program topics include open innovation, the use of accelerators, and using Big Data to address customer needs. Please plan to join us for these relevant and valuable Innovation Forum events. Look for dates and times on the website, via our Chapter emails, and on Twitter, LinkedIn and the PDMA blog.

Whether you are a seasoned veteran, an emerging professional or a student, I encourage you and your colleagues to join the innovation conversation through PDMA.  Follow us on social media.  Become a member.  Participate in our events.  Consider a local or corporate sponsor.   If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to contact me at randyr@ballydesign.com. 

On behalf of the Pittsburgh Chapter Board Members, I want to wish you and your families a Happy Holiday Season and best wishes for a Healthy and Happy New Year. 

 

I look forward to seeing you "at the movies" in January!   

 

Randy Rossi

President, PDMA Pittsburgh
President, Bally Design 

"Design & Thinking" Movie Event and Panel Discussion | Jan 29th

PDMA Pittsburgh will be hosting the regional film premiere of the critically acclaimed documentary "Design & Thinking" on January 29, 2014 at the New Hazlett Theater.

How do we fully engage organizations to think about the changing landscape of business, culture and society? Inspired by design thinking, this documentary grabs businessman, designers, social change-makers and individuals to portrait what they have in common when facing this ambiguous 21st century. What is design thinking? How is it applied in business models? How are people changing the world with their own creative minds? It is a call to the conventional minds to change and collaborate.


Following the film, an expert panel of producers and consumers of design services will discuss "how to incorporate design into new product innovation."

For more information and to purchase tickets: http://www.pdma.org/e/in/eid=227


Register Early for Your Chance to Win Steelers Tickets!

Registration for the January 29th "Design & Thinking" movie event is now open.  Networking and registration will begin at 4:00pm with food and drinks being served.  The film will begin at 5:00pm immediately followed by the panel discussion at 6:15pm.  Tickets purchased in advance are $25 for members, $40 for non-members, and $10 for students.  We hope you and your colleagues can join us! 


If you register before December 23rd, you will have a chance to win tickets to the December 29th Steelers Game.  Two winners will be chosen randomly, and each winner will receive two tickets. Watch your email, or find us on LinkedIn http://bit.ly/PDMAInnovate and Twitter @PDMApittsburgh for more details.