From the CEO

The story goes that before the marketing age, people used less shampoo. But three words appeared on a shampoo bottle that changed our lives forever, and made Proctor & Gamble a fortune: "Lather. Rinse. Repeat."

We're trying to bring that level of efficiency and insight to the topic of innovation. In a contest leading up to our upcoming Innovation and Insight Day, we've asked our readers to complete the thought "Innovation is..." using only six words. The early entries are fascinating.

Some evoke a slightly Biblical tone: "What has never been, now is." Some nod to human invention: "Innovation is human generated evolution."

Some focus on the element of surprise. "Creating to meet unknown customer needs." Or the one that seems to capture an element of child-like wonder: "Mum, wow what is it?"

A handful of entries daringly stop well short of the six-word limit. Two of my favorites: "Life improved." And: "Brilliantly insane solution creation." I may introduce these two contestants and suggest a combined entry, which is still within our limit.

There are also lots of interesting visuals. Examples: "The rumba of want and need." "Tamed tiger is reared future pet."

Aggregating all these ideas, in chunks of six words or less, has inspired me to close in similar fashion.

"Celent fosters innovation insights. Ideas welcome."

Craig Weber
CEO

Chart of the Month

From the Celent report Tracking the Progress in Core Systems Replacement: Global Life Edition

Celent Published Reports

• Vietnam Insurance Market and Technology Overview
• Tracking the Progress in Core Systems Replacement: Global Life Edition
• Ensuring Success in Core Systems Replacements: Operational Considerations and Emerging Strategies for Life Insurers
• The UK Retail Distribution Review: An Update on Provider Implementation Readiness
• Tracking Progress in Core Systems Replacement: Global P&C Edition
• Ensuring Success in Core Systems Replacement: Operational Considerations and Emerging Strategies
• North American New Business and Underwriting Systems

Research in Progress

• Analysis of Consumers' Social Media Insurance Activity in North America
• Big Data in Financial Services
• Car Technology Innovations Insurers Should be Watching

Calendar

27 February 2013
Conference
Innovation and Insight Day
Boston, MA, USA

5 March 2013
Webinar
Celent Insurance Webinar: 2013 US Insurance CIO Survey: Pressures, Priorities, and Innovation

14 March 2013
Conference
Model Insurer Asia Summit
Singapore

15 March 2013
Conference
Creative Disruption: Technology and the Future of Insurance
London, UK

22 March 2013
Peer Networking Event
Celent CIO Roundtable
Whiteley, UK

23 April 2013
Peer Networking Event
Shifting Business & Technology Strategies in the Converging Group and Voluntary Insurance Market
Wellesley, MA

25 April 2013
Peer Networking Event
Insurance Innovation: Preparing Now for Future Challenges
Columbus, OH

For more information, contact insuranceevents@celent.com or call +1.617.262.3120.