Hewlett Packard’s announcement that it’s combining its PC and printer divisions is meeting skepticism. Larry Dignan, editor-in-chief of ZDNet, had this to say:
“Hewlett-Packard says it’s combining its printer and PC divisions partially because the move will drive “innovation across personal computing and printing.” Oh really? Color me decidedly skeptical on that claim, which was touted in the company’s announcement today. My mental block: What exactly are the touch points between a printer and a PC, and where does the innovation lie? HP does have printing innovation. Its inkjet technology can be used for drug delivery, for instance. However, unless your PC is delivering doses of pharmaceuticals to you, it’s a stretch to see the connection.”
For this month’s LAB, lets put the S.I.T. method to the challenge. Imagine being part of this newly-combined HP organization. Here is how you might apply each of the five techniques of Systematic Inventive Thinking. The key is to leverage each technique in a way that forces non-obvious connections between the two units, laptop and printer. These configurations become “virtual products.” We use Function-Follows-Form to work backwards to problems they solve or benefits they deliver.
Start with component lists (ink-jet printer and laptop):
1. SUBTRACTION: Removing an essential component on one unit and replacing it with something from the other unit.
3. TASK UNIFICATION: A component in one unit steals the job of a component on the other unit.
4. DIVISION: Dividing a component physically or functionally and re-arranging it onto the other unit (in space or time).
5. ATTRIBUTE DEPENDENCY: Creating (or breaking) dependencies between internal attributes of each unit.
HP has a long legacy of innovation and leadership. Let’s see how effective it is at making good on the promise. Despite the skepticism, I like HP’s chances of making this merger work.
Innovation is a skill, not a gift. Top organizations drive growth by nurturing and investing…
Are you in the world of problem solving? Is problem solving a skillset you have…
5 Data-Driven, Customer-Centric trends we’ve identified This is not just another conventional forecast. Over nearly…
Imagine a chef, who only uses a spoon. Imagine a dentist, who only uses a…
In investing and business strategy, we often speak in terms of moats. Warren Edward Buffett…
This year, P&G’s Febreze celebrates its silver anniversary as a brand. But not all 25…
View Comments
I don't think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article. https://accounts.binance.com/de-CH/register-person?ref=JHQQKNKN