Relentless Growth

"The new economy is led by those who create, find, and/or combine knowledge into new products, services, and distribution methods faster than their competitors."

"Five interdependent elements compose the core of the Innovation System."

"Innovation has not only multiple routes to whatever goal you choose, but multiple goals as well."

"What makes innovation unique as a business process is that creativity and routine are intertwined throughout the process."

"Five practices that nationally recognized Silicon Valley leaders employ to spread this attitude."

"Rather than looking for answers, the best Silicon Valley leaders try to define the critical questions."

"Valley firms use the portfolio approach for four reasons. First, the portfolio is a risk management tool."

"Deciding how much stretch is required for strategic fit is where the Silicon Valley sharply departs from traditional companies."

"The effectiveness of the process, though, is usually inversely proportional to the thickness of the notebook that describes it."

"The most exciting development in the Valley these days is the use of Web-based development."

"Like all knowledge workers, Valley people want to be considered and treated as professional partners."

"In a very fundamental way, the organization structure itself is an integral part of the innovation process."

"By far, the vast majority of innovation in the Valley occurs in crossfuntional teams."

"Measurement is only a tool."

"Throughout the Silicon Valley, fast cycle time has become a competitive must."

"Performance will only change when the people who do the innovating change their behavior."

"Very few companies are willing to devote the resources and energy required to drive change on their own."