The Innovation Equation: Building Creativity and Risk Taking in Your Organization (Practicing Organization Development Series) [Paperback]

"A clear and concise treatment." (Hartford Business Journal, 10/28/02)

"A clear and concise treatment." (Hartford Business Journal, 10/28/02)

A Step–by–Step Guide for Building Innovative Capacity in Organizations

"Practical in so many ways, this book should top your reading chart if you are at all interested in the business of being more innovative–– or coaching others. I use the term –– business because innovation is no longer a soft skill, but one that drives organizational success."
–– Dr. Mitchell Kusy, coauthor of Fast Forward Leadership



This definitive guide for building innovative capacity in organizations teaches you how to create an environment that fosters creativity, innovation, and risk taking. Based on the work of Richard E. Byrd, a pioneer in the field of organization development, this book includes an assessment tool for determining what drives creativity and risk taking and offers a four–step process for building innovative capacity in individuals.

A Step–by–Step Guide for Building Innovative Capacity in Organizations

"Practical in so many ways, this book should top your reading chart if you are at all interested in the business of being more innovative or coaching others. I use the term ′business′ because innovation is no longer a soft skill, but one that drives organizational success." —Dr. Mitchell Kusy, coauthor of Fast Forward Leadership

"The approach articulated in The Innovation Equation has provided the Cargill Global Organization Effectiveness Department with a powerful method to build innovation in individuals and groups at all levels throughout the company." —Rae Lesmeister, OE Manager and Cargill OE Creatrix Coaches (Vicki Hargrove, Ian Stephenson, Ipek Uzer, Barbara Luke, Eve Stranz, Amy Cullen, Lorraine Wrafter, and Holly Keller)

"The model is a quick, easy way to check out your approach to creativity. The creative innovative process is a balance of the intuitive and the rational. By working with the information in this book, you can discover, explore, learn, and develop your own personal approach to creativity and innovation. Creativity is accumulative. The more creative you are, the more you will be able to create!" —Sue Eklund, manager, global leadership and learning, Seagate Technology

"This book is seasoned, incisive, and practical. Like a Swiss Army Knife, it gives people access to the tools and wisdom required for innovation." —Richard J. Leider, chairman, The Inventure Group and coauthor of the best–selling books, Repacking Your Bags and Whistle While You Work

"The Innovation Equation is a remarkable book. The thing that stunned me was how exactly ′on target′ it is for issues that we are grappling with right now. The book fills a critical need. The Innovation Equation provides a straightforward way to increase innovation within an organization." —William Gjetson, director human resources, Caterpiller Paving Products

Jacqueline Byrd, Ph.D. is president of the Richard Byrd Company, a Minneapolis–based management consulting firm that serves clients worldwide. Her clients have included Alliant Techsystems, Cargill, Caterpiller Paving Products, Ecolab, HealthPartners & Regions Hospital, Pentair, 3M, and the University of Minnesota. She is also the brain behind Creatrix, an innovation of the Byrd Company.

Paul Lockwood Brown has been with the Creatrix team, an innovation of the Richard Byrd Company, since its inception.