Name the greatest of all inventors. Accident.

Innovations, breakthroughs, and major changes often come from unpredictable, chaotic, and random events. That's why the accuracy record of the confident, logical-sounding projections by economists and planners is so abysmal.

Today's leading organizations are knowledge-creating companies that thrive on continuous innovation. They allow successful strategies and innovations to evolve, and cash in on unexpected problems or opportunities that are part of a dynamic and organized learning process.

Successful innovation requires many failures. To double your innovation success rate, double your failure rate. Corporate culture has to accept failures and take some risks. Knowledge gained from failure is often instrumental in achieving success.

Studies have repeatedly shown that fanatical champions led most successful innovations. Because most innovations upset established order, 'going through channels' will lead to almost-certain death. Many companies have evolved a 'skunk-works' to provide a breeding ground to nurture new ideas.

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