Open Innovation Starts With A Why
A journalist recently asked me how companies should get started with open innovation. I replied as below:
First ask this question: Why do we want open innovation? Many people believe open innovation is the Holy Grail and they just jump aboard without asking why open innovation is relevant to them.
An answer to the why question should show an understanding of how open innovation can be an important part of the general innovation strategy which in turn needs to be highly aligned with the overall corporate strategy. Many companies mess up here. They simply do not have an innovation strategy.
The benefit of having an innovation strategy is that it sets a direction for your efforts. This also allows you to better define open innovation in the terms of the company. Innovation – and even more so – open innovation can be defined in so many different ways. Companies need to find their own definitions like Procter & Gamble, General Mills and other companies have done it.
Once the why and the definition are in place, it becomes easier to work out a strategy and implement it. Next, you should not forget the people issue. A paradigm shift like this requires that people change their mindset and obtain new skills.
The key things here are the ability to view innovation in more holistic terms and to become better networkers. In the future, a strong innovation culture equals a strong networking culture. Thus leaders need to develop a networking strategy and train their people on this.
Let me know what you think.
Stefan this makes a lot of sense, and can help organizations to avoid the trap of hoping a strategy will emerge if they start implementing tools and tactics.
I would add that it starts with a why, but doesn’t end until many more why’s have been asked to ensure a connection to overall business goals. Like peeling an onion!
Stefan,
Interesting and accurate insights as always. I would like to add that Open Innovation is only one of the confusing terms that this large pool of knowledge carries due to not being embraced by any Professional standards. It’s like common law created around cases of failure and success. There are no rules in innovation but one: innovation is about creating new rules.
Keep bringing it on.
Ms InnoFuture
A company without an Innovation Strategy will stumble along hoping to stumble upon a disruptive innovation in their field. An Innovation Strategy will give them focus and direction instead of waiting for their epiphany moment for their innovation.
Open Innovation will allow them to have a greater Idea generation base. The asking of why will give direction and a basis for the innovation strategy.
I completely agree, being a student i feel its very important to plan the innovational process to know the exact reasons as to y we are undertakin innovation and the complete how of it. and its also important to pre plan the opposition which could be faced by the organization due to this process.