Innovation


Recent Innovation Articles

Tech Trends: Time-Management Apps

A new breed of apps takes a holistic approach to an age-old conundrum.  Read more

4 Employee 'Motivators' That Can Backfire

Most of the people who work for you wouldn't dare admit that these incentives don't work nearly as well as you think they do.  Read more

Paradox of Real-Time Data: No Time Left for Business

Up-to-the-minute updates were supposed to make you more efficient. What the heck happened?  Read more

The Makings of a Great Start-up Name: 6 Tips

A killer company name isn't just about finding something that sounds right. Here are six things to keep in mind.  Read more

5 Coolest Gaming Start-ups at SXSW 2013

Whether you're looking to create the next Angry Birds, or you want to monetize your game, check out these innovative start-ups heading to Austin this year.  Read more

The Data Revolution? It's Coming to Farms Too

Meet the Y Combinator alum who's aiming to bring what he learned in Silicon Valley to farms across the country.  Read more

VCs Bet $1.4 Billion on Big Data in 2012

According to a new report, total investment dollars went down last year, but the number of deals and exits soared.  Read more

Want to Expand into China? Read This First

Heading to China isn't right for every company--and even if it is for yours, it won't be easy. Here are three things to remember.  Read more

Coolest Mobile Tech Companies to Check Out at SXSW

Face it: Your cell phone is becoming your window on the world. These new technologies from innovative companies are on the front-lines of mobile development.  Read more

Yahoo Take Notice: 5 Workers Who Can Ruin Your Day

Yahoo's Marissa Mayer is wrong. Telecommuting prevents co-workers from wasting time and energy.  Read more

Hey, Yahoo: Proof That Working From Home Works

According to CEO Marissa Mayer, telecommuting costs "speed and quality." But research suggests otherwise.  Read more

4 Companies to Watch at SXSW 2013

These start-ups could steal the spotlight at Austin's big tech show.  Read more

Better Collaboration in 3 Steps

Engineers use the Agile method to build software more efficiently. You can use it to run your company more efficiently.  Read more

2 Reasons to Keep an Eye on GitHub

One, the maker of the world's most powerful software-development tool is growing at a stunning rate. Two, your next business will be built on it.  Read more

Youngstown, Ohio: Mecca of 3D Printing? Not Yet

When President Obama touted a Youngstown, Ohio-based institute as a "state-of-the-art lab where new workers are mastering 3D printing," he spoke too soon. He...  Read more

The 5 Hardest Jobs to Fill in 2013

Fast-growing start-ups are waging a war for top talent. But among even the most difficult positions to slot, a few emerge as the most challenging of all.  Read more

The Dark Side of Start-up Culture

In tech start-ups especially, there's the idea that if you can't go big, you can just go home. This tragic story shows just how dangerous that ethos can be.  Read more

4 Reasons Yahoo's Telecommuting Ban Won't Last

Telecommuting, handled properly, creates more effective, harder-working, employees. Eventually, Marissa Mayer will figure that out.  Read more

Unexpected Key to This Start-up's Success: Southwest Airlines

In Confirmation.com's early days, the start-up made an unusual decision about how to grow: It went where Southwest flew. Here's why it worked.  Read more

What Nepalese Mountaineers Can Teach You About Business

Sherpas are famous for trekking to the summit of Mount Everest. But one entrepreneur says they have much to teach the business world.  Read more

Get Real: Working From Home Does Not Destroy Productivity

Yahoo's new policy requiring everyone to be in the office is an example of bad and backwards management thinking.  Read more

Want to Start a Company? Stay as Ignorant as Possible

Forget cramming to learn your new industry inside and out. When you're starting up, ignorance makes you more creative, unique, and effective.  Read more

The Fashion Week You've Never Heard Of

The runways in New York, Paris, and Milan may get all the attention, but most of the industry's business happens at a different event.  Read more

5 Ways to Tell If You're Getting Great Advice

When you hear it, advice is just that, advice. You only know if it's great after the fact. Wouldn't it be great if you knew in advance?  Read more

Want to Get Acquired? Get Your Funding From These VCs First

You may recognize many of the firms on this ranking of most successful VC firms. But there are a few noteworthy surprises, too.  Read more

Maybe You Want Your Company to Stage the 'Harlem Shake'

It's silly and perhaps already played-out, but the latest viral dance epitomizes an employee-driven culture where fun is spontaneous and teams like ...  Read more

Innovation, Ninja-Style

Consumer Electronics Association head Gary Shapiro says small tech companies, when they're at their best, act like ninjas.  Read more

4 Ways You Discourage Customers From Buying

The relationship between buyers and sellers has changed. In the process, these four tactics have become major turn-offs.  Read more

Business in Trouble? Tell Your Customers

When this café ran into financial trouble, the owners did the only thing they could: They asked customers for help--and help they did.  Read more

Does Facebook Work for B2B Marketing?

Some firms have had success, while others say the social network does little for them. Inc.com talks to Facebook's small business director to learn more.  Read more

10 Best Reasons to Be an Entrepreneur

When the work is hard and the hours are long, these are the reasons founders keep doing what they do.  Read more

Creativity Tips From 5 Very Funny People

Great comedians make their living by seeing the world in a fresh way and creating high-value "product" to match. Could your team learn from that?  Read more

13 Habits of Extraordinary Bosses

Extraordinary bosses use these habits to bring out the extraordinary in those around them.  Read more

24 Rejuvenating Ways to Spend Your Lunch Break

Eating a cold sandwich at your desk while you surf Facebook doesn't count. Shake things up with one of these energy boosters.  Read more

11 Life-Changing Questions You Must Ask Yourself

Ask yourself these questions every day. Without fail. And then, based on your answers, take action.  Read more