FuturistU > Innovation & Change > Adaptive Innovation > Module 1 / 5

Intro to Adaptive Innovation

Instructor: Jeremy Gutsche
In this course, Jeremy introduces his framework on Adaptive Innovation. Adaptive innovation is the idea that success comes from persistently redefining an idea again and again. New and great ideas are not necessarily the most novel or unique ideas; they most often exist within an overlooked opportunity. These new and great ideas are subtle, and even the most successful people and organizations miss out. Jeremy uses the example of the smartphone. Apple's iPhone wasn't the first mobile device to exist on the market, but its features differed just enough to make it the more exciting and preferred choice of consumers.

The secret to success is the combination of incredibly hard work and an overlooked opportunity. This course breaks down the Adaptive Innovation into 4 key sections, teaching you how to approach creativie thinking with more consistency and structure.
Workshop Question:
Have you come accross an idea, in a product or service, that you thought of yourself? Why didn't you pursue it? What held you back?
Get the 2024 Trend Report FREE

Insights by Trend Hunter AI

Slow Sipping
Beverage brands embrace mindful, craft-focused drinking experiences
Trend - Beverage brands are applying the "slow food" philosophy to drinks, prioritizing mindful consumption, local sourcing, and artisanal production methods over convenience. This movement spans categories from coffee and tea to cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages, with brands emphasizing transparency in sourcing, small-batch production, and rituals that encourage consumers to savor rather than gulp.
Workshop Question - What would your product look like if it was designed to be savored over 30 minutes instead of consumed in 30 seconds?
7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Artificial Synergy
Artificial intelligence is used to translate human intent into natural action
Trend - Artificial intelligence has evolved to replicate human biology, helping people regain accessibility, mobility, or even senses that were lost. Utilizing assistive and restorative medical technologies, these systems can understand what the user wants to do and act like a natural extension of the body.
Workshop Question - How can your brand leverage AI to create experiences that feel naturally human?
8.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Boldened Snack
Packaged snack brands are refreshing packaging portfolios to improve recognition
Trend - CPG snack brands are refreshing their packaging designs to draw more attention to their products while emphasizing standout features. These features include better-for-you ingredients and reduced environmental impact, with intent to capture younger audiences with such practices.
Workshop Question - How might we innovate our brand's approach to packaging and product design to effectively resonate with environmentally conscious and health-focused younger consumers?
6.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Copycat Brand
Private label brands are creating copycat products inspired by QSR and name brands
Trend - Brands are launching copycat private label products that mimic the design elements or product names of branded goods or quick-service restaurant (QSR) items. Developed in-house by the retail chain, these products provide consumers with a more affordable and comparable experience to premium brands.
Workshop Question - How can your brand stand out and compete with leading names in their categories?
4.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Sustainability Center
Businesses are hiring full-sized innovation teams to improve sustainability
Trend - Brands are investing in full-size innovation centres that focus on improving sustainability efforts. Often in collaboration with adjacent brands, the goal of these centres is to push the industry forward in both resource and energy efficiency to combat climate change.
Workshop Question - How can your brand leverage innovation teams to enhance sustainability and reduce carbon emissions in its industry?
3.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Oat Cheese
Brands increasingly use oat milk to formulate plant-based cheese products
Trend - Plant-based brands are now using oats, often combined with oils, starches, and natural flavorings, to replicate the texture and taste of dairy cheese. These products appeal to consumers who are lactose intolerant, vegan, or those seeking sustainable options that align with their health goals.
Workshop Question - How can your brand adapt its product/service to be more socially responsible and sustainable?
4.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Product Analytics
AI tools are being used to assist managers with analyzing product insights
Trend - SaaS companies are launching Artficial Intelligence (AI)-based tools that gather and analyze both customer feedback and product information to provide recommendations for product managers. These tools are designed to automate monotonous tasks and free up time for managerial action.
Workshop Question - How can we leverage AI tools to streamline data analysis and provide actionable insights for our managers?
6.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Vegan Luncheon
Luncheon meats are increasingly opting for vegan and plant-based formulas
Trend - Popularized during the post-war era for their affordability and shelf stability, luncheon meats are now being adapted to be plant-based. These meat-free alternatives cater to consumers with unique dietary preferences and health-conscious individuals who need accessible, planet-friendly options.
Workshop Question - How can your brand factor in cultural influences when crafting its product/service?
3.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Seamless Engagement
Pop-ups that require minimal time to engage consumers are gaining traction
Trend - Brands are creating passive pop-ups, such as billboards or signposts, that beget consumers to engage with only a brief action. These are more engaging than regular billboards while not requiring much time from consumers. Additionally, brands do not need to staff these pop-ups, thus reducing costs.
Workshop Question - How could your brand benefit from passive engagement opportunities to enhance its marketing strategies?
5.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
play_circle_filledHug-Activated Marketing Machines
Hug-Activated Marketing Machines
UNIQLO France and The Pull Launch the Hug to Unlock Ad
UNIQLO France unveils the Hug to Unlock campaign with the help of Paris-based marketing agency The Pill. The campaign encourages passersby to embrace in a hug to initiate a surprise by the brand. It... MORE
play_circle_filledIllusory Fry Billboards
Illusory Fry Billboards
KFC is Promoting Its Fing Fing Cajun Chips with a Clever Billboard
In China, KFC is promoting its new Fing Fing Cajun Chips with an optical illusion billboard that has people literally shaking their heads. With “fing fing” meaning “shake” in... MORE
play_circle_filledFood Truck Billboards
Food Truck Billboards
McDonald's Transformed Billboards into Digital Food Truck Displays
McDonald’s Sweden recently launched a new fried chicken burger inspired by street food culture. As part of the launch campaign, the fast-food giant transformed digital-out-of-home (DOOH)... MORE
play_circle_filledRecord-Breaking AR Mirrors
Record-Breaking AR Mirrors
Maybelline New York & FFFACE.ME Debuted a Large Interactive Experience
Maybelline New York worked with XR company FFFACE.ME to unveil a record-breaking augmented reality mirror with a screen size of 43,000 square feet on the side of the Gulliver Mall in Kyiv. This AR... MORE
play_circle_filledDeserted Island Billboards
Deserted Island Billboards
Silk & Spice Set Up a Billboard for Fans to Go and Find
While most billboards are strategically positioned in high-traffic areas to maximize visibility, Silk & Spice is taking a different route, opting to set up a desert island billboard and initiate... MORE
Informative Yogurt
Dairy brands are redesigning packaging to explicitly advertise health benefits
Trend - Brands in the dairy industry are redesigning product packaging to be more explicitly informative. These new packagings highlight the ingredients' exact nutritional benefits, such as benefiting gut health. Many such products are also advertising organic or eco-friendly ingredients.
Workshop Question - How could your brand redesign its packaging to ensure it best appeals to the desires of its consumers?
7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends