Thanks for all the kinds comments on our In-the-Box Innovation white paper. One commenter, Hans Henrik H. Heming from the design innovation blog CPH 127 steered me toward an August 2005 post of his on big box thinking that you should definitely read:

"Knowing your parameters is great, but even better is learning how to broaden that 'sweet spot' and increase the creative possibilities. They call this Big Box Thinking, because it's a way to bridge the divide of the conservative in-the-box, supply-chain perspective and out-of-the-box creativity."

" 'burn the box' thinking. Often this apparently radical approach may lead to the sense that one is speaking a different language to others and this can become problematic and perceived as lacking credibility. There are consequences to departures from the norms within organisations in the name of innovation and creativity. The 'bigger box' methodology might be viewed as an acceptable balance. Especially so within more consevative business cultures."

Other commenters have recommended the new Douglas Rushkoff book, Get Back in the Box: Innovation From the Inside Out. I just got my copy from Amazon two days ago -- this is one of those cases where the "in the box" meme has been floating in the air for some time, and Rushkoff picked it up about the same time we did, apparently! In fact, we were ready to move on to a different metaphor, but that one works so well to describe very useful, important way of looking at creativity and innovation. It doesn't hurt that it pokes fun at one of the hoariest cliches ever!

I'll be reading Rushkoff and posting my comments shortly. I understand you can read excerpts from the book on his blog archives. And here's a link to an interview with Rushkoff about his book by Marc Babej, a fellow Corante Network blogger.