Ten Types of Innovation by Larry Keeley & Helen Walters & Ryan Pikkel & Brian Quinn Summary
Overview of Ten Types of Innovation
Forget product-only innovation. "Ten Types of Innovation" reveals a groundbreaking framework used by Amazon and IBM, analyzing 2,000+ breakthroughs over 40 years. Bloomberg BusinessWeek named Keeley an "Innovation Guru" for showing why combining five innovation types creates unstoppable market dominance.
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Key takeaways
Beyond Sticky Notes: The Science of Systematic Innovation
What if innovation wasn't about random brainstorming or waiting for lightning to strike? Larry Keeley's "Ten Types of Innovation" shatters the myth that innovation is mysterious art, replacing it with disciplined science. After analyzing nearly 2,000 successful innovations across three decades, Keeley created what he calls the "periodic table" for innovation-a system as foundational as Mendeleev's was to chemistry. Most innovation efforts fail spectacularly-studies show 95% don't return their capital cost. The problem isn't lack of creativity but lack of discipline. While executives might tolerate brainstorming sessions with colorful sticky notes, these techniques rarely produce meaningful results. The Ten Types framework organizes innovation into three categories: Configuration (how you organize and profit), Offering (what you provide), and Experience (how customers interact with you). Companies using multiple innovation types create breakthroughs that earn disproportionate returns and resist competitor copying. Even dominant firms like Kodak can fall despite pioneering new technologies if they don't innovate comprehensively. Innovation isn't invention-it requires customer understanding, partnerships, and sustainable economics. When you target significant problems rather than easy wins, you create comprehensive solutions that can truly transform markets.
The Hidden Foundation: Configuration and Process Innovations
Product Innovation: Performance and Systems
Customer Experience: Service and Channel Innovations
Brand and Engagement: Creating Emotional Connections
Strategic Combinations: Innovation Plays That Win
The Innovation Pirate: Mindset Meets Method
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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