Innovation

Bring your data and your insights, but not necessarily your opinions. —Tony Xu, MBA ’13
DoorDash CEO Tony Xu on Why Obsession With Detail Matters
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Latest Stories on Innovation

January 20, 2022
Written
A Peek Inside the Hidden, Messy World of Corporate Venture Capital
A new survey reveals complaints and constraints within large companies’ investment units.
Finance
A colorful and complicated Rube Goldberg machine. | iStock/Peepo.
December 13, 2021
Audio
How to Use Storytelling to Be a Better Founder
In this bonus episode, we share lessons from the Stanford GSB class “Startup Garage” on hypotheses, narrative, and design thinking.
Entrepreneurship
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December 10, 2021
Written
What Makes Unicorns Special? These Numbers May Hold the Answers.
VC expert Ilya Strebulaev is collecting the data on billion-dollar startups that everyone is looking for.
Entrepreneurship
Blue origami unicorn. | Credit: iStock/WinsomeMan.
December 03, 2021
Audio
Stay Creative: How to Keep Your Ideas Fresh and Practical
In this podcast episode, we share common mistakes that can stifle ideas and why managers should stay involved in the creative process.
Innovation
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November 15, 2021
Written
Creativity May Suffer When Mature Projects Change Hands
A study of movie development shows the dangers of late-stage handoffs.
Innovation
Illustration of one hand passing a cube filled with shapes to another hand. Credit: iStock/travenian, Cory Hall.
October 26, 2021
Written
OK, Computer: Building Trust to Make Machine Learning More Effective
Asking users about their needs and concerns can open up the “black box” of new workplace technologies.
Innovation
A close-up of a computer screen with drawings of hospital beds. Credit: iStock/paitoonpati, iStock/Alpaben Rathod
October 19, 2021
Written
Drinking from the Firehose of COVID-Inspired Innovation
Will the great ideas kickstarted by the pandemic be more than a blip?
Innovation
a light bulb, with the top half in a full color illustration of a graph. Credit: Daniel Liévano
October 19, 2021
Written
How COVID Has Reshaped Work
Offices, commutes, and gigs have been disrupted — for now.
Economics
an armchair in an office, beside a full color illustration of an office chair. Credit: Daniel Liévano
October 19, 2021
Written
Respond. Reflect. Rethink.
Nearly two years into the global pandemic, Stanford GSB faculty are helping us understand what’s changed and what’s ahead.
Innovation
various intersecting graphics: a satellite, a computer chip, a rocket ship and medical needle, a crane, and small detailed diagrams. Daniel Liévano
October 19, 2021
Written
Restore — Don’t Reshore — Supply Chains
Bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. may be an overreaction.
Supply Chain
a crane intersecting with a more detailed, colored illustration of a crane. Credit: Daniel Liévano
October 19, 2021
Written
The Outlook for the Post-COVID Economy
There are plenty of reasons for optimism — and caution.
Economics
binoculars, with one lens covered by a color illustration of a pie chart. Credit: Daniel Liévano
September 21, 2021
Written
Got a Problem? Think Like a Designer.
“Creative Acts for Curious People” makes the Stanford d.school’s approach to problem-solving accessible to anyone.
Innovation
Illustration of woman in a hijab on roller blades and a man on a skateboard interacting with images that are floating between them. Credit: Michael Hirshon
September 21, 2021
Audio
It’s All in Your Head: Masterclass on Thriving in Turbulent Times
Baba Shiv explains how to develop a risk-tolerant mindset.
Leadership
Grit & Growth: The Podcast
August 26, 2021
Written
If They’re Not Ready to Change Gears, Specialized Companies May Be Left in the Dust
A study of motorcycle makers shows how focusing on one market for too long can reduce companies’ ability to survive.
Management
The back of a man, with his arms crossed and hand at his face pondering, looking at a sign with two arrows pointing in opposite directions. Credit: Cory Hall, iStock/peshkov; iStock/Bulat Silvia
June 16, 2021
Audio
DoorDash CEO Tony Xu on Why Obsession With Detail Matters
In this View From The Top podcast episode, Tony Xu talks about adaptability and solving problems by going deep.
Career & Success
Courtesy of Tony Xu
May 05, 2021
Written
How Trade Triggers Innovation
Competition from imports pushes domestic laggards to adopt more efficient practices and technologies.
Economics
Female microbiologist studying coronavirus with microscope. Credit: iStock/janiecbros
May 04, 2021
Video
Class Takeaways: The Industrialist’s Dilemma
Five lessons in five minutes — learn how to survive disruption and turn headwinds into tailwinds.
Innovation
Video thumbnail for Class Takeaways: The Industrialist’s Dilemma
April 29, 2021
Written
China Looks to Take the Lead in Digital Currencies
The global shift to government-issued digital currencies “is like the space race of the 1960s,” says Stanford GSB’s Darrell Duffie.
Finance
3D rendering of the new Yuan digital currency of china on red economy graph chart. Credit: iStock/nespix
April 23, 2021
Audio
Speech That Empowers: How to Encourage Growth and Resilience in a Younger Audience
In this podcast episode, we discuss best practices when inspiring young people to seize responsibility.
Leadership
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April 02, 2021
Written
How China Spurred Innovation in the U.S. and Europe
A Stanford economist argues that Chinese competition sped up productivity and overall growth in the West.
Innovation
A woman wears VR goggles as she sits in a virtual reality booth. Credit: Reuters/Brendan McDermid