Archives: January 2009

Philippe Starck on Design, Invention, and Branding: Recession Advice

Posted by: Reena Jana on January 28

I recently sat down with Philippe Starck, one of the world's most well-known designers, to talk about the connection between design--so often misunderstood as mere cosmetic flourish--and innovation. He was...

Five Answers From Mike Morris, CEO, American Electric Power

Posted by: Helen Walters on January 27

Mike Morris, CEO of self-described "coal-centric utility," American Electric Power, came in to see us last week, and BusinessWeek Energy and Environment Editor, Adam Aston, picked reader-submitted questions to put...

Five Questions For Brian Dunn, President, Best Buy

Posted by: Helen Walters on January 22

On the face of things, Best Buy looks pretty well placed right now. Arch rival Circuit City filed for bankruptcy in November last year and after it announced its...

A Rare Chat With MINI's Design Chief

Posted by: Matthew Vella on January 22

Last week, I had the opportunity to speak with MINI Design Chief Gert Hildebrand. The fiercely individualistic brand of tiny autos is poised to take advantage of higher fuel costs...

Why Xerox's Erasable Paper Isn't On the Market (Yet)

Posted by: Reena Jana on January 21

At least since 2006 or so, Xerox has heralded its invention of "erasable" paper, but it hasn't yet hit the market. And the company hasn't said when it will. I...

Five Questions for Mike Morris, CEO of American Electric Power

Posted by: Michael Arndt on January 16

The playing field tilts for much of U.S. industry with the Jan. 20 inauguration of President Barack Obama. The change could be dramatic--perhaps even traumatic--for American Electric Power. The Columbus,...

Creative Capitalism Vs. Malaria: The Back Story

Posted by: Michael Arndt on January 15

My colleague Steve Hamm has a piece in the Jan. 26 issue of BusinessWeek on one of the most forward-thinking collaborations out there today. It’s called the Artemisinin Project, an...

Intel Targets Retailers With Store Display Concept

Posted by: Reena Jana on January 12

The annual National Retail Federation convention and expo is up and running at New York’s Javits Center, and during the trade show chip maker Intel is showing off a strategy...

Plantronics, Altec Lansing Rack Up Innovation Awards

Posted by: Matthew Vella on January 07

CES may have arrived this year with barely a whimper, especially given the dire state of the consumer electronics industry. But, Plantronics Inc. and its consumer audio division, Altec Lansing,...

The New Contrarianism: Less for Less

Posted by: Helen Walters on January 07

I recently chatted with Michael Raynor, co-author of The Innovator's Dilemma, author of The Strategy Paradox, and currently a Distinguished Fellow at Deloitte Research. We recorded a podcast, which you...

Teens Don't Think Scientists are Nerds

Posted by: Reena Jana on January 07

Today's teens don't see scientists as "nerdy," according to a new study from the Lemelson-MIT Program, a non-profit based at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology devoted to recognizing exceptional inventors....

The Collective Power of Individuals

Posted by: Helen Walters on January 07

Last night, two things happened on Twitter that seem to me to point to the reality of our present day connected world, with trends that are budding now that will...

Design, The Movie

Posted by: Matthew Vella on January 05

The trailer for Objectified, an independent documentary about industrial design, is finally available (watch below). The film, which should be released this year, explores the relationships between consumers, mass products,...