QUESTIONS & ACTIVITIES

1. What is innovation? Use an example to show how innovation can lead to the
development of new products.

2. Explain the relationship between 3M’s vision, its brand promise and innovation.

3. Explain what you think is meant by the term, ‘patient money’? Why is this important in
a product development process?

4. Describe the key elements of a customer-focused organisation. Outline three

examples that illustrate how 3M is a customer-focused organisation.

5. What does it mean to empower employees? Using examples explain why

management at 3M place such emphasis on empowering employees?

6. Explain 3M’s 15% rule? Why would it be important for an innovate company involved
in new product development to have such a rule as this? How do you think employees
would respond to the 15% rule?

7. Briefly summarise 3Ms six principles of innovation. Explain how each of these
principles focuses on various people, i.e. management, employees or customers.

8. What style of management seems to predominate 3Ms culture? Use an example to

explain why you think that this style of management is successful at 3M.

9. Briefly describe three positive outcomes that resulted from the relationship between
3M Australia and DFAT.

10. Use examples to evaluate whether 3M is being successful in developing a culture of

innovation.