Fostering Innovation

As a business executive, leader, coach and mentor, I am always looking for educational opportunities that help me, and the people that I work with, explore new opportunities that will expand the collective knowledge base; or more over create that inspirational feeling that helps you drive to new levels or reinforce existing best practices. Bill Artzberger has created that opportunity in his new book, Fostering Innovation. Bill masterfully and specifically takes the reader on a journey of failure and success in the lives of several fictional leaders and employees, all the while underscoring the basic tenets of innovation, Lean theory, and principles.

The journey starts with John, a company CEO that has created a "crest" for his company that embodies the use of innovation to drive differentiation, creative thinking and ultimately growth for his company. Throughout the book, john is both challenged and supported to learn that fostering innovation and creating an environment that embraces the principles of LEAN requires more than putting words in a mission statement or on a plaque. Bill’s use of "real-life" story telling along with bold print that accentuates the key learning elements, allows both the experienced and novice leader grasp that concepts of creating a work environment that supports creativity, risk taking, and ultimately success.

Fostering Innovation is a must read for any leader or manager that is focused on the use of LEAN to help drive innovation and transform the culture of their business. The development of the characters and the flow of their story allow the reader to quickly engage and self-reflect. Bill’s tactical use and examples of LEAN theory and process throughout the book, forces the reader to clearly see the impact of the principle and the consequence of making the right choice. The questions at the end of each chapter allow for a guided education and contemplation of the key learning points in the book. The glossary at the end of the book provides a solid compendium of terms and definitions for a leader at any level.

-- Barton P. Buxton, EdD, President and CEO, McLaren Health Management Group

Fostering Innovation is a practical approach in exploring Leadership as well as Group and Team Development. Bill has successfully connected the core principles of Lean principles to innovation. I found the book to be an effective tool that applies academic concepts to organizational situations. The case study approach makes the read enjoyable, reinforcing innovation as a core competency. Readers have the opportunity to examine communication, teamwork, leadership, diversity, creativity, reward/recognition, and culture. I highly recommend this book as means of self-examining oneself as well as organizations for sustaining innovation. Steve Jobs once said, "Innovation is the only way to win." As a retiree from AT&T and currently the Director of the Pawley Lean Institute at Oakland University also serving as adjunct faculty, I find this book relevant for personal growth and as a supplement to academic coursework in the fields of Lean, Leadership, and Group/Team Development.

-- Dennis L. Wade, Director – Oakland University Pawley Lean Institute

Like Goldratt’s classic, The Goal, Artzberger’s book refreshingly teaches and reads like a novel instead of a textbook. The ideas and concepts underlying Fostering Innovation, are presented as a real story of real people struggling to figure out their careers and path to success. Lean and Continuous Improvement and Leadership, all parts of Innovation, are not presented as chapters. Rather, they show up as solutions to the problems at hand. The result is a better read, and a better way to learn and retain.

-- Randy Hinz, General Manager-Automotive Manufacturing