3 Tips on Innovation Careers
I am often approached by people who seek my advice on the current job market for people working with innovation in big companies or people aspiring to do so.
Here you get some of my views in a short video talk. You can also find a short summary below.
Don’t leave your current job!
Very few companies are staffing up on their innovation efforts and it will be very difficult for you to find an innovation job in another company right now. So if you already have a good or perhaps just a decent job, but want new challenges, then I would say that you should stay where you are! I know many very capable innovators who have been out of relevant jobs for years. This is not the time to take chances with your career.
When will this change? Things are slowly getting better, but I think it will still take another 6-18 months before companies will ramp up their innovation efforts.
Upgrade your skills!
I am surprised – and even a bit angry – that so many people working with innovation do not upgrade their personal toolbox.
Innovation management is developing so fast these years and you need to stay on top of this development. If I worked with innovation in a large company, I would in particular pay attention to concepts such as open innovation, business model innovation and the use of social media for innovation efforts.
If you can further develop your knowledge and skills on this and if you can find ways to link this with the innovation challenges at your company, I am sure you will get involved in some very interesting projects in the coming years.
If you don’t upgrade your skills, you might be out of a job soon because so many people with a new mindset on innovation are waiting to get their chance to prove their worth.
Join a start-up!
If you are currently out of a job, then you should consider joining a start-up. Many big companies are going to be in need of people having not only an entrepreneurial mindset, but also the hands-on experience on making innovation happen.
The odds are not in your favor that you will succeed with your start-up, but having started 3 companies myself, I can assure you that the learning process itself is worth the effort.
I hope you got some inspiration from this short talk. Let me know if you have any questions that you would like me to address the next time. Stay open!
P.S. You might also be interested in these three posts:
The Careers of Innovation Leaders and Intrapreneurs
Interesting video Stefan! Having worked with an innovation team on top of my last role in R&D, I have been thinking of working with innovation companies or science research consultancy. I have also been looking out for spin-out companies to see if I can offer my R&D skills as well as skills I have gained through working with the innovation team. I have been approaching spin-out companies, so your one tip on spin-outs was good to hear!
Glad you liked it – I hope you find a good place to work