Innovation is more than just another app - 21 August 2026
This week's thread
Most shopping receipts end up in the bin. But what if they were turned into a fun competition?
This is exactly what the Taiwanese government did. And it's a perfect example of clever innovation: finding creative solutions to everyday problems.
Innovation doesn't need groundbreaking technology or massive budgets - just a simple, insightful twist that changes behaviour or solves a long standing issue.
This week's concept
Clever innovation
Creative ideas for brand growth and behaviour change.
Thread ONE
Taiwan lottery receipt
Taiwan was battling widespread tax evasion from small businesses not issuing receipts. So the government introduced the Uniform Invoice Lottery, turning every official receipt into a lottery ticket with cash prizes. This simple move incentivised customers to demand receipts, which ensured sales were properly recorded and taxed.
Why it matters
Reframe a compliance problem into a consumer game to change behaviour.
Thread TWO
Van Moof bikes
Bike company Van Moof was suffering from high rates of shipping damage when sending products to the US. Realising that couriers handle fragile, high-value electronics more carefully, they made a simple change. They started printing an image of a flatscreen television on their bike boxes.
Why it matters
Solve a logistics problem by changing the perception of what is inside the box.
Thread THREE
Barilla playlist
To help customers cook pasta perfectly, Barilla created a series of Spotify playlists. Each playlist's duration matches the exact cooking time for a specific pasta shape, from Spaghetti to Penne. The music stops when the pasta is perfectly al dente, turning a kitchen timer into a small moment of entertainment.
Why it matters
Integrate your product's instructions into a platform your customers already use.
The thread, pulled tight
Growth is not always about a new product or a bigger budget. The most effective moves often come from looking at an existing problem through a new lens: finding simple, elegant ways to change behaviour, improve an experience, or solve a problem that everyone else has accepted as normal.
From the archive
South Korean company cars
South Korea tackled tax avoidance on luxury company cars by introducing bright green licence plates for all corporate-owned vehicles. The conspicuous colour makes private use obvious and socially awkward, deterring misuse.
Continue the thread
What's the best example of clever innovation you've seen?
Reply with the best example you've seen. I read every response, and the best ones often end up on Uncommon Thread.
Keep pulling the thread