Innovator's Dilemma Archives

ROI Comes From Customer Value Creation

January 13, 2017June 30, 2017 by Tim Empringham, MBANo Comments

I read a post the other day looking at the ROI (Return On Investment) in immediate payment systems (banking speak for instant payments) and one particular statement made by the author made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. In fact, the real driver may not be the ROI but just keeping up with customer and regulatory needs. ROI can't come from regulatory needs and cost savings to be successful. It has to come from customer value creation if you want to be sustainable. If the ROI is some sort of fuzzy "feel good" or "customer experience" story without strong numbers most businesses won't invest in these types of problems. In this example, if all of the major banks in a country (such as Britain or Canada) decide that "instant payments" don't have a positive ROI they will all choose to not build that capability since it isn't "worth it". If they do choose to build it it will be...

Leading in Innovation – Who Are The Innovators?

March 5, 2015May 25, 2023 by Tim Empringham, MBANo Comments

Over the past several months I've been spending a lot of time looking at the industry in which I work (Financial Services) and wondering what it is that keeps this industry from leading in innovation. Like many other industries, the leaders in banking regularly talk about innovation, and some even claim to be leaders in innovation. But as I look across the industry I see very little real change. Even the best innovators in Financial Services are making primarily incremental changes, with very few disruptive ideas coming from the incumbents. (more…)...

Great Business Books for Small Business

October 1, 2009April 20, 2023 by Tim Empringham, MBANo Comments

I've been known for some time as a voracious reader and I'm often asked for recommendations of good books for specific situations. I promised in an entry earlier this month that I would list some of my favourites, so that's what today is all about. This list is by no means exhaustive, but hopefully it will introduce you to some new titles or authors that you might not have otherwise picked up that may be able to help you in some aspect like for example with the complete guide to payroll for your small business. This isn't about navigating the corporate heirarchy or mastering MBA level statistics or theories, it is a list designed to address the specific needs and challenges faced by small businesss and Entrepreneurs. The list is in no particular order (I'm not big on rankings) so the last book on the list might be just as helpful for your specific needs as book number one. I hope...