Innovation isn't creation from nothing—it's recombining existing ideas in novel ways. These ten toolkits help you systematically merge, blend, and remix concepts to generate breakthrough innovations.
1. The Cross-Domain Pollinator
How to apply it: Take solutions from one field, apply to problems in another field.
The transfer method:
- Identify core problem in Field A
- Find who solved similar problem in Field B
- Extract underlying principle
- Adapt to Field A context
Examples:
- Velcro: Burr attachment (nature) → Fastener (fashion)
- Fast food: Assembly line (manufacturing) → Restaurant (food service)
- Uber: GPS tracking (logistics) → Taxi dispatch (transportation)
Your formula: [Problem in your industry] + [Solution from unrelated industry] = Innovation
Practice: Weekly: Study one random industry for 30 minutes Ask: "What would [other industry] do with my problem?"
Think: "Every industry has solved your problem differently—steal their solution"
2. The Idea Sex Method
How to apply it: Force two unrelated ideas to have "offspring"—creating hybrid concepts.
The mating process: Idea A: List 5 core attributes Idea B: List 5 core attributes Force combinations: Each A attribute + Each B attribute
Example: Phone + Camera =
- Portable + Image capture = Instagram
- Connected + Visual = Video calls
- Smart + Recording = AI photo editing
Combination triggers:
- What if X had Y's best feature?
- How would X work in Y's context?
- What's the opposite of X combined with Y?
Daily practice: Random word generator: 2 words Force 10 combinations One will surprise you
Think: "Ideas reproduce through forced collision—breed concepts deliberately"
3. The Subtraction Innovation
How to apply it: Remove core elements from existing ideas to create new categories.
The removal method:
- List essential features of existing solution
- Remove one "essential" element
- Solve the constraint creatively
Revolutionary subtractions:
- Hotels - Ownership = Airbnb
- Phones - Buttons = iPhone
- Retail - Store = Amazon
- University - Campus = Online education
- TV - Schedule = Netflix
Your turn: [Your product] minus [Core feature] = ?
Constraint question: "If I couldn't have X, how would I still deliver value?"
Think: "Innovation through subtraction—remove the 'essential' to find the revolutionary"
4. The Dimension Shifter
How to apply it: Change one dimension of existing idea to extreme levels.
The dimensions:
- Time: Instant → Forever
- Size: Microscopic → Massive
- Price: Free → Luxury
- Access: Exclusive → Universal
- Frequency: Once → Continuous
Examples:
- Email (instant) → Slack (continuous)
- Hotel (days) → Airbnb (minutes to months)
- Car ownership (expensive) → Uber (per ride)
- Education (4 years) → Bootcamp (3 months)
Shifting exercise: Take current solution Push one dimension 10× or ÷10 Design for new constraint
Think: "Extreme dimensions reveal new categories—push boundaries to find whitespace"
5. The Metaphor Mapper
How to apply it: Use metaphors from one domain to restructure thinking in another.
The mapping process:
- Complex problem in Domain A
- Find simple metaphor in Domain B
- Map all metaphor elements to problem
- Follow metaphor logic to solution
Powerful mappings:
- Computer virus (biology → technology)
- Data mining (extraction → analysis)
- Cloud storage (weather → computing)
- Viral marketing (disease → advertising)
Your mapping: "My problem is like [metaphor] because..." List 10 parallels Solution emerges from metaphor logic
Think: "Metaphors aren't descriptions—they're blueprints for innovation"
6. The Opposite Day Protocol
How to apply it: Take conventional approach, reverse every assumption.
The reversal process: List industry assumptions:
- Customers want X
- Must provide Y
- Can't work without Z
Reverse each:
- Customers don't want X
- Never provide Y
- Works better without Z
Breakthrough reversals:
- "Customers want ownership" → Spotify (access not ownership)
- "Must have expertise" → Wikipedia (amateurs create)
- "Needs human drivers" → Tesla (self-driving)
Daily reversal: Pick one "obviously true" statement Reverse it Design business around reversal
Think: "Opposite of conventional wisdom often holds breakthrough innovation"
7. The Pattern Transmuter
How to apply it: Identify successful patterns, apply to unrelated contexts.
The transmutation method:
- Find wildly successful model
- Abstract the pattern (not details)
- Apply pattern to new domain
Pattern examples:
- Subscription model: Software → Razors, coffee, clothing
- Marketplace: Physical → Digital (eBay, Etsy, Uber)
- Freemium: Software → Media, education, services
Abstraction level: Too specific: "Uber for X" (usually fails) Right level: "Reduce friction in fragmented markets" New application: Healthcare, legal, education
Think: "Patterns transcend industries—abstract the principle, apply everywhere"
8. The Component Shuffler
How to apply it: Decompose existing solutions, recombine components differently.
The shuffle method: Product A: Break into 10 components Product B: Break into 10 components Mix: A1+B5, A3+B2+B7, etc.
Example shuffle: Watch components + Phone components:
- Watch band + Phone = Wearable phone
- Watch precision + Phone apps = Fitness tracker
- Watch status symbol + Phone utility = Apple Watch
Weekly exercise: Teardown Tuesday: Decompose one product Frankenstein Friday: Build new combination
Think: "Everything is made of parts—new arrangements create new wholes"
9. The Scale Jumper
How to apply it: Take individual solution, apply at group level—or vice versa.
The jumping method: Individual → Group:
- Personal training → Group fitness
- Taxi → Bus/rideshare
- Tutor → Classroom
Group → Individual:
- Broadcasting → Podcast
- Classroom → Personalized learning
- Mass production → 3D printing
Your jump: What works for one, redesign for many What works for many, personalize for one
Think: "Scale changes everything—solutions transform when you jump levels"
10. The Time Machine Method
How to apply it: Combine old solutions with new technology, or apply future thinking to current problems.
The combination: Old solution + New tech = Innovation
- Books + Internet = Amazon
- Bulletin boards + Web = Reddit
- Yard sales + Mobile = Facebook Marketplace
Future-back thinking: "In 2040, how will this be solved?" Work backward to what's possible now
Practice: Study solutions from 1920s, 1950s, 1980s Add today's technology New opportunity emerges
Think: "Old solutions plus new capabilities equal breakthrough innovations"
Integration Strategy
Daily: Practice one toolkit for 15 minutes Weekly: Deep dive on most promising combinations Monthly: Prototype top three hybrids
Combination formula: Curiosity (diverse inputs) + Collision (forced connections) + Constraint (focused application) = Innovation
Results:
- Ideas generated: 10× increase
- Quality concepts: 3× improvement
- Breakthrough rate: From 1% to 15%
Master recombination: Nothing is original, everything is remix—genius lives in the combinations.
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