Roger Martin, dean of the Rotman School of Management and Continuum partner, talks with BusinessWeek about the potential pitfalls and rewards of trying to “buy” innovation

Read it here.

Also check out Continuum’s recent interview with Roger on his new book The Opposable Mind.

We think what Roger and the Rotman School is doing for design education is inspiring for the future of design and business. Other universities should follow suit.

I just can’t stop thinking about American Living.

So Ralph Lauren and JCPenney partnered to create a new brand called American Living. As the web site states, the brand is exclusive to JCPenney and jcp.com (btw, they own jcpenney.com as well, and it redirects to jcp.com, but that is a discussion for another day). What I can’t help thinking about is the brand look and feel. It is very aspirational, which I love, but does it have meaning for this retail audience? The imagery is evocative of the Hampton-set, but targeting individuals more comfortable with Hampton Inn.

I like the move, but will it resonate?

CNN’s take on the new brand:

http://money.cnn.com/2007/08/29/magazines/fortune/Its_Ralphs_World.fortune/index.htm

Join Dan Buchner, Vice President of Innovation and Design and designers from Continuum for this one-day workshop — an interactive journey into the world of design thinking. Through short lectures and fast moving and interactive work sessions, Continuum’s designers will take you through the design thinking process from concept to realization.

March 27, 2008
8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
Business Innovation Factory
315 Iron Horse Way, Suite 101
Providence, RI 02908

Click here to register.