2012 Issue 1 - Innovation: Creativity With a Job to Do

 

Innovation guru/expert John Emmerling once said that innovation is creativity with a job to do, which makes a lot of sense. After all, creativity is only part of the equation; true innovation involves creativity applied to a specific problem or need and demonstrated results.

We hope you enjoy this innovation-themed issue of Universal Advisor. If you have any comments on how your organization approaches innovation, we’d love to hear them. Simply e-mail innovation@plantemoran.com. 

In This Issue:

• Innovation: Creativity With a Job to Do
  There’s no question—innovation is a hot topic. This special feature examines innovation in a variety of ways, from interviewing clients about how innovation strengthens their organizations to exploring how organizations are leveraging emerging technologies.
  
  
  • A Creative, Disciplined Approach to Innovation: An Interview with NewNorth Center President Nate Young
  • Plante Moran & NewNorth Center: Measuring Our Region's IQ
  • NanoBio: Chance Favors the Prepared Mind
  • The University of Toledo: Innovation Connected to the Real World
  • Multifilm Packaging: Staying One Step Ahead
  • Innovative Uses for Today's Technologies

• Survey Says: More Education Is Needed on Health Care Reform
  Given that most significant health care reform changes don’t go into effect until 2013, we wondered (1) how informed are you about the law, and (2) how prepared are you for the impending changes?
• You’re Working Hard – Is Your Fraud Prevention Plan?
  A fraud prevention plan proactively identifies and removes the causal and enabling factors that contribute to fraud. It can be seen as the cumulative effect of preventative and detection systems incorporated by management.
• Back to the Basics: Key Principles to Guide Investment Decisions
  Anchoring one’s investment decisions to certain core principles can mitigate the risk of making decisions based on fear or greed.
• Happenings
  Plante Moran named to FORTUNE’s list of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” for the 14th consecutive year, Stuart Franey Matthews & Chantres P.C. merges with Plante Moran, and more.

Online Only:

• Plante Moran’s Innovation Podcast
  When you think “innovation,” you don’t automatically think “accounting firm.” But that doesn’t mean that we don’t recognize its importance. Plante Moran Governmental Practice Leader Beth Bialy and Group Managing Partner Craig Thornton weigh in with their views.
• Executive Compensation Checkup: What Every Employer Should Be Doing
  Companies should act now to review the adequacy of their executive compensation strategies as a means to attract top talent, incent behaviors that tie to company goals, and retain talent.
• From Idea Generation to Integration: Igniting Innovation in Organizations
  More often than not, coming up with new ideas isn’t a problem for businesses. It’s how to apply or integrate those ideas within the organization that proves challenging.
• Cloud Computing: What’s Tax Got to Do With It?
  Businesses around the world are taking advantage of cloud computing technology. Until recently, transactions were sales tax-free, but states are starting to evaluate these transactions to determine their taxability.
• Revenue Recognition: “Simplifying” a Complex Issue
  Accounting standard setters intend to use new guidance to account for—and simplify—revenue recognition. The process of implementing the “simplified” guidance will result in major challenges for many entities.