Successful innovation requires tracking big trends, and thinking about how these will change customer behaviors and markets. Innovators have to develop for the long-term, yet far too many are so focused on short-term results they don’t see long-term implications – and opportunities!! Success doesn’t come from hard work. It comes from working smart. Put your energy/resources into innovations, and projects, that are on trends in order to get the most out for the work you put in. Takeaways: Don’t let your “passion” drive innovation. Let market needs drive innovation. Don’t get so focused on short-term results that you don’t take time to focus on the long-term Are you tracking major trends and developing future scenarios based on those trends? Are you applying long-term trends to your business plans – skating to where the puck WILL be?