I was very fortunate to have attended the final of an ESB innovation event where the CEO (Pat O'Doherty) took to the stage and gave an impromptu speech to 120 staff. Within five minutes, he had inspired them to innovate in new, smarter, and faster ways - I was well and truly impressed!

Believe it or not but the lighting industry was one of the first industries to be disrupted by digital technology. 
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As the digital revolution starts to strike the financial, utility, and transport industries, the lighting industry is already light years ahead!
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Philips Lighting - the industry leader, sensed disruption to its core business pre-2000.

If you are interested in breakthrough innovation and want to learn from a real program - read on!

Here is a useful case study on the breakthrough innovation program at Philips Lighting. The case study was co-written by Professor John Bessant, Dorothea Ernst and me, for the bestselling book Innovation Management - Integrating Technological, Market and Organizational Change. It also forms Chapter 17 of the book Discontinuous Innovation. 

The case study not only describes the innovation journey and the tools used along the way but it also highlights the challenges faced when changing a corporate culture. Written by people who were involved in the project (Dorothea and I were on the Philips Lighting's core project team), I hope you find it helpful.

Below you will find the introductory text to the case study and a link to read the full document.