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THE UNCONVENTIONAL PATH TO BREAKTHROUGH IDEAS

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ALIEN Thinking: The Unconventional Path to Breakthrough Ideas

From three top innovation experts at IMD Business School comes a smart new model for innovative thinking and problem solving.

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HOW DO PEOPLE COME UP WITH TRULY ORIGINAL IDEAS?

For the past decade, the authors of this book have studied individuals who have made leaps of creativity – inventors, scientists, doctors, entrepreneurs and artists – and concluded that there are five patterns of thinking that distinguish them from the rest of us.

These five patterns – Attention, Levitation, Imagination, Experimentation and Navigation – lead to a fresh and flexible approach to problem-solving. Alien thinkers know how to free the imagination so it can detect hard-to-observe patterns. They practice deliberate ways to retreat from the world in order to see the big picture underlying a problem. And, they have learned how to change their prototype ideas in systematic ways to reflect feedback and the constraints of reality.

Through surprising and compelling stories, the authors show how readers can adopt their five patterns of thinking and use it to develop world-changing ideas. From the WHO’s first major breakthrough in treating the Ebola virus, to the balloonist Bertrand Piccard’s first circumnavigation of the Earth without using fuel, and a British inventor’s device that creates electrical power from human footsteps, ALIEN Thinking can help any of us find innovative solutions to the most difficult problems.

Praise

“A sharp critique of the conventional wisdom around innovation—with thought-provoking advice for how to do it better.”

Jake Knaap

inventor of the Design Sprint and New York Times bestselling author

“Apply ALIEN Thinking to go from early opportunity recognition to impactful innovation. I really enjoyed how this book offers compelling insights and powerful illustrations to enhance the innovation process.”

Alex Osterwalder

author of the two-million copy bestseller Business Model Generation

“Stuck in innovation stagnation? Read this brilliant book, and you’ll break free from it.”

Rolf Dobelli

author of the million-copy bestseller The Art of Thinking Clearly

ALIEN Thinking is an accessible approach to finding and implementing breakthrough ideas. The authors offer illuminating examples to introduce and illustrate the real-world efficacy of each of the major concepts… Read More

Bernard Roth

academic director of the Stanford d. School and author of The Achievement Habit

 

 

ALIEN Thinking is an accessible approach to finding and implementing breakthrough ideas. The authors offer illuminating examples to introduce and illustrate the real-world efficacy of each of the major concepts. I recommend this book to anyone willing to do the hard work of generating and implementing breakthrough ideas.”

Bernard Roth

academic director of the Stanford d. School and author of The Achievement Habit

 

 

“A must-read for corporate innovators and intrapreneurs, to create true value for their customers and organizations.”

Esther Seidl-Nussbaumer

head of corporate innovation, SIGVARIS

“Compared to many innovation books, this one is unique in that it emphasizes the emotional side of innovation. Practicing innovators will find a sympathetic companion in this fascinating book.”

Keith Sawyer

author of Zig Zag and Group Genius

“In today’s fast-changing world, innovation is essential for success. The authors of ALIEN Thinking have drawn upon their extensive experience to provide a powerful new framework to dramatically improve the odds for innovative thinking and breakthroughs.”

Robert Rosenberg

retired CEO of Dunkin’ Donuts and author of Around the Corner to Around the World

“I wish I had read this book years ago. A very pragmatic and eye-opening framework to help make innovation a game-changing reality, whether you are in a small start-up or a big multi-national corporation.”

Chris Johnson

executive vice president of Nestlé, chief executive officer of Zone Asia, Oceania, and sub-Saharan Africa

“A powerful formula for transforming businesses and shaking up industries.”

Michael Watkins

author of The First 90 Days

For all media related inquiries, please contact Jessica Krakoski at
jessica@cavehenricks.com