In late November of 2014, Michigan Radio’s Stateside began a series called The Next Idea. With support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and a team that included the University of Michigan’s “Dean of Innovation” Jeff DeGraffand Executive Producer Joe Linstroth, the project’s mission was to focus on innovation, creativity and ideas meant to move Michigan forward. Read more »

For more than three years, The Next Idea has been talking to people who took their creative ideas and turned them into something tangible — a business, an invention, social change. Those out of the box ideas are essential to keep moving Michigan’s economy forward. But creative ideas often get stuck in Read more »

Well, it’s been three years since we started The Next Idea. The aim of the project was to showcase the wide array of amazing people and communities here in Michigan, and how they make innovation happen every day, everywhere, and in every way. Looking back, we have heard the diverse Read more »

Often, I’ve noticed, when I talk to someone about the need to innovate, that person will respond by telling me how much he or she is doing already.   These days we make productivity something like a religion.  We believe that if we are productive enough, organized enough, task-focused enough, Read more »

It is important to find value in being different. In this episode, I interview Stephen Shapiro, innovation instigator, business consultant, Hall of Fame speaker and author of Best Practices Are Stupid.  Together, we discuss how innovation can help people stand out. According to Shapiro, it is key to find out what makes you unique. Read more »