One of the foremost executives pressing Open Innovation into the decision fabric of Corporate America is on the move again. This time he has written about Open Innovation “v2.0″ in the form of his book ““The Game-Changer,” (Crown Business, 2008), which he wrote with Ram Charan.  I’ve ordered it from Amazon and I am keen to see what’s new from a mature Open Innovation “believer”.  I’ll blog my review once I’ve finished it.

Here’s his interview with the New York Times.

The notion of Open Innovation is turning the mainstream corner from what I can see as a Sales Executive here at Fluid.  The phone calls I’ve made to Enterprises or Sellers in our vernacular, (some 6 to 8 months ago mind you) are being returned: a new executive is in place; a new revenue target is set; they have a very hot, interesting technology they want to license.  Whatever the latest mandate, of course, I’m happy to accommodate on our new commercialization marketplace.

From the Buyer side - much, much more openness to licensing innovation in now.  Anyone?  Can you say gas prices, ailing economy - small software and technology firms are not in a position to take full market risk with a brand new product or line right now.  Licensing is a reasonable, plausible option.  Supply, meet your friends, demand.

 My selfish economic desires aside, I am genuinely enthused to see the momentum at the street level grow and I can’t wait to see what materializes from the Inventors and what the Implementers decide to do with it. Join me down here on the front row - great seats to watch a big show.

So if you find Lafley’s latest compelling I’d like to encourage you to go back “to the beginning” and (re)read Open Innovation by Henry Chesbrough.  And if you hurry you can catch up right quick.

Tom