(Photo courtesy of the Post-Crescent)

2007 has been a great year for new beginnings! We’ve been in business for 12 months now, and I couldn’t be more excited about what we’ve accomplished. As we end our first year in operation, Innovationedge is getting a lot of attention both locally and across the globe. We’re working with more than 30 different clients, both companies and inventors, and a global scope that takes us to Russia, the Middle East and Europe.

I’m proud to end 2007 with headlines like last Sunday’s article in the Post-Crescent, the local newspaper in my neck of the woods. Business reporter Pete Bach and I sat down recently to talk about the meaning of Innovation, and why people often are confused by the terminology that many of us in the innovation space take as a given.

Pete did a fabulous job explaining terms like Open Innovation and Disruptive Innovation. The online version has an audio description of Open Innovation from our interview.

I’m glad he he was able to connect with one of my client companies, WD-40, an innovative company poised to build some very significant changes in its business model. This company is about so much more than spray lubricant for squeaks. If you’re not familiar with its product line, I invite you to check out the many familiar names you probably have in your home — household brands like WD-40 Lubricant, Lava Soap, Carpet Fresh and Spot Shot.  The company is learning ways to structure its analysis and find areas of opportunity.  The value they receive from us is learning how to change their culture, views, analysis methods, etc.

I can’t wait to see how clients like WD-40 and others make these significant leaps toward new innovation opportunities in 2008. This next 12 months will bring new growth for Innovationedge as well, and I’ll be sharing some exciting new projects in the weeks ahead.

On behalf of my entire Innovationedge team, I’d like to wish everyone a Happy New Year!