Co-authored by Sally Kemkers, Deirdre Walters and Suzanne Allers, Untapping Innovation offers a practical approach to helping businesses turn consumer insights into products that succeed. The recognition builds on a wider conversation about how organisations can create the conditions for better innovation.
A practical guide to improving product innovation has been recognised by the International Impact Book Awards, with Untapping Innovation: An R&D Playbook for Products and Stories That Sell earning its authors the distinction of Distinguished Author.
Published by Practical Inspiration Publishing in June 2026, the book was written by Deirdre Walters, Sally Kemkers and Suzanne Allers, drawing on decades of research and development experience at Procter & Gamble and their work helping global consumer goods companies develop breakthrough products.
The playbook addresses a persistent challenge for businesses: turning promising ideas and technical advances into products that meet real consumer needs and succeed in the market. It offers eight agile tools designed to help teams uncover deeper user insights, make better decisions earlier, reduce rework and bring R&D, marketing and leadership closer together.
The authors also explore how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, are influencing product development.
Putting people at the heart of innovation
The recognition connects with a subject Sally Kemkers has explored previously in Innovators Magazine.
In Innovation Myth: hierarchy is necessary for good innovation, Kemkers examines how organisational structures can influence the development of new ideas. While leadership and clear decision-making remain important, she argues that hierarchy can become a barrier when seniority takes precedence over evidence or when teams struggle to challenge established assumptions.
Her article highlights the importance of putting users at the centre of product development, creating space for different perspectives and giving teams a shared understanding of the problem they are trying to solve.
These principles also underpin Untapping Innovation. By helping teams understand what consumers genuinely need and connecting technical development with compelling product stories, the book aims to improve the decisions that determine whether an innovation makes a meaningful difference.
The authors are founding partners of Untapped Innovation, a global consultancy helping organisations develop breakthrough products and compelling product stories. They also co-founded STEM Untapped, a non-profit supporting underrepresented students in STEM.
The International Impact Book Awards recognises authors whose work meets its assessment standards and makes a meaningful contribution to its field. The Distinguished Author recognition adds to the growing conversation around how businesses can make innovation more effective, user-focused and commercially successful.
For organisations seeking to bring new products to market, the underlying message is clear: breakthrough innovation is not simply about developing something new. It is about understanding people, challenging assumptions and connecting the right expertise to create something they genuinely value.
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