Communicating The New: Methods to Shape and Accelerate Innovation

by Kim Erwin

"Communicating radical innovation is very different from discussing marginal change. Erwin's book provides a serious analysis of why, in this era of VUCA—Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity—we need to change our individual and organizational modes of communication. Erwin then provides a series of concrete, practical communication methodologies that we so need. Communicating the New is a book that needs to be offered in all of our best business-school classes."

—Bruce Nussbaum, author of Creative Intelligence, former assistant managing editor for BusinessWeek, and Professor of Innovation & Design at Parsons The New School of Design

"One of the main problems with executing innovation in organizations is also one of the least obvious. Communicating The New reminds us about an often neglected but crucial part in the innovation process. Applying the principles contained in this book will increase your chances for innovation success, both inside your company—overcoming organizational barriers, as well as outside—convincing your customers. This is an essential read for those who not only preach for improving the current state of things, but more important to those responsible for executing it."

—Luis Arnal, Managing Partner, INSITUM

"I was hooked instantly. The names of people that I should give this book to keep building with each new chapter. Communicating the New is thorough as well as thoughtful in providing an impressive compendium of models, framework, methods, and tools for navigating the 21st-century challenges of creating The New. Finally, a useful resource to navigate the complexity of creating The New."

—Clement Mok, Designer, Entrepreneur, and Instigator

"Anyone who has experienced the challenge of co-creating The New and engaging enterprise audiences will find useful ways to produce insight, influence, and impact."

—Paul Siebert, Director of Research + Strategy, Steelcase

Genres: Business, Design, Communication, Management

369 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Antonella Garzelli · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author is expert in the communication, specifically in the context of product design and development. The book, "Communicating the New," explores the challenges and opportunities of communication in the context of new product development. It emphasises the importance of effective communication in the process of introducing new ideas, products, and services to the market. She argues that clear and concise communication is essential for success in this process, both internally within organisations and externally with customers and stakeholders. Through this book, the author provides practical strategies and insights for improving communication in the context of innovation, making it a valuable resource for anyone involved in product development or marketing

[Jonathan Gomez · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 rounded up.

A solid read with lots of information and case studies to back the information presented. Erwin provides many practical methods and solutions to communicating innovation and new ideas to business partners and organizations.

[Henk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book, easy to read. Chapter 4 is pretty awesome and talks about the need of emotional and intellectual engagement and how to establish it. "It is not about having a prototype, it is about prototyping." It covers how to use different experience models to break conventions, etc. I found myself happy to know that I am on the right track, and eager to see how to get more skills. The book has several examples, less useful to my mind, but it may just be what is needed to convince people. Get it now, read it on the next long haul flight. The Kindle edition is great.

[Jeremy Yuille · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book on an important but overlooked topic. Agree with previous review that re-framing communication as a practice rather than artifacts is one of the key insights Erwin brings.
The frameworks are actionable, definitely recommended for design programs as well as business courses!

[Garette Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to learn more about how to communicate complicated, new and emerging ideas or even wicked problems. This is a great book to start with. I would also pair it with "Sketching the User Experience" by Bill Buxton. Both cover several methods that inform the whole.