Karen Anne Zien

Updated at: Feb. 2, 2015, 12:03 a.m.

Karen Anne Zien is a senior innovation systems anthropologist. She co-founded The Creativity & Innovation Lab, a resource and training center for inventive business leaders, in January 1996.

Her recent work includes:

  • Design and rejuvenation of inventive and innovative business systems, based on learnings from anthropological research at innovative companies worldwide.
  • Global new product and service development processes, based on future best practices of leading edge enterprises.
  • Cross cultural and international strategic alliances and partnerships for new ventures, product development, and global marketing.
  • Strategic planning and implementation processes customized for highly inventive businesses. This work includes bringing together strategic stories to build aligned purpose and passion, the heart of business planning and results.

Karen Anne has contributed to the thought and practice of many companies in a variety of industries. Her client and study companies in the U.S., Japan, and Europe, are global enterprises considered to be among the most innovative in the world.

She is known as a steadfast, insightful, and articulate guide through the often ambiguous and chaotic environments of the inventive fuzzy front end of new business, new product, and new process development. Her consulting work grows from twenty years of internal business practice in the arenas of international alliances; organizational learning and change; and the design and implementation of new work processes and systems. She is sought after as a thought leader on innovation and frequently presents at conferences and executive seminars. She brings a cultural anthropologist and experienced practitioner viewpoint to all.

Her recent publications include:

  • Innovation Explosion: Using Intellect and Software to Revolutionize Growth Strategies, James Brian Quinn, Jordan J. Baruch, and Karen Anne Zien, The Free Press, 1997.
  • Dreams to Market: Crafting a Culture of Innovation, Karen Anne Zien and Sheldon A. Buckler, Journal of Product Innovation Management, Summer, 1997.
  • The Spirituality of Innovation: Learning from Stories, Sheldon A. Buckler and Karen Anne Zien, Journal of Product Innovation Management, Fall, 1996.
  • Software-Based Innovation, James Brian Quinn, Jordan Baruch, and Karen Anne Zien, Sloan Management Review, Summer 1996.

Research and client companies include:

3M, Apple, Avery Dennison, Battelle, City of Boston (Mayor's Office, The Redevelopment Authority, and The Economic and Industrial Corporation), Club Med (research only), Digital Equipment Corporation, General Mills, Hewlett-Packard, Hoechst-Celanese, ICI, Japan Foundation, Kenwood, National Tabletop and Giftware Association (Lenox, Libbey, Noritake, Oneida, Pfaltzgraff.