Perspectives on Innovation

Hi everyone—

Earlier this year we made some exciting incremental changes to the InnoCentive website: Most recently we added Solutions 2.0 and the Challenge Browser, which were significant feature adds/enhancements.

Looking ahead, we’re working on additional changes that will make it much easier to find information and navigate the site.

I’m writing today with an opportunity for you to get involved: I’m pleased to invite our Solver community to participate in the InnoCentive.com Preview Program. Here are the details:

Overview

The Preview Program is designed to provide a select group of Friends of InnoCentive (Seekers, Solvers, other invited guests) with early access to a pre-release version of InnoCentive.com. In the process, you will have the opportunity to preview the upcoming release and in exchange agree to provide hands-on feedback to ensure a smooth release and introduction of the new version to all users.

Details

The primary objective of the Preview Program is to validate that the software is ready to be released. The Preview program has been limited to 10 participants who represent the different users of the site. If you agree to participate, you are expected to be actively engaged in the program and to provide feedback.

There are two phases to the program.

The initial phase is focused on the new site content and information architecture, and will take place during the week of June 21^st. You will be asked to spend 60-90 minutes reviewing the new site content and providing feedback.

The second phase of the program is aimed at validating the site as a whole – content, look and feel, navigation, ease of use; this second phase will take place the week of July 6^th. You will be asked to spend 1 – 2 hours using the site and providing feedback.

You are invited to participate in one or both phases of the program.

All you need to participate is a computer, an Internet connection, a little time, and a willingness to give us your honest opinion.

The Preview Program is open only to registered Solvers.

To find out more about participating, please send an email to beta@innocentive.com as soon as possible. There are a limited number of spots available, and we’ll take them on a first-come basis, so email now!

We’re looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks for helping!

JD

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

As attempts to stem the flow of oil from the broken well in the Gulf of Mexico continue to fail, the intensity of media attention has increased.  At the same time, our Solvers continue to rise to the challenge and submit thoughtful and novel solutions to the problem.  Last night, InnoCentive CEO Dwayne Spradlin spoke with Hardball’s Chris Matthews about some “out of the box” ideas we’ve seen from our Solvers – and about the need for those in charge to start looking very seriously at what our Solver community has to offer.