Establishing Always-On Innovation
Navigating Beyond Event-Based Models to Always-On Innovation
Organizations across the globe are realizing that innovation is more than simply a nice-to-have addition to existing enterprise. Instead, it is a necessary, vital function to continue to thrive. The real threat of disruptive models and innovations can force even market-leaders to the outskirts of the spaces they previously dominated.
Skype has fallen to the wayside as Zoom continues to grow, with legacy communications technologies a new area of interest and their brand even becoming a shorthand for video calls.
Many companies have experience with innovation at early maturity stages: corporate ideas boxes, hackathons, and democratized workplaces can all serve to surface bright ideas that can lead a company forward. However, where the ideas from these sources succeed, they succeed in a limited manner.
Organizations that use Excel spreadsheets for collecting ideas or suggesting improvements in processes are operating at what’s called an ‘event-based’ level of innovation.
Without the connection to wider areas where actual impact can be achieved, these ideas tend to revolve around improvement – not the disruptive change that ensures organizations remain on the cutting edge.
Companies need to move beyond an event-based model to one that instils their entire network with innovative capability, turning good ideas into repeatable, scalable value.
Making this shift is no longer just for adaptable, agile start-ups. With new levels of connectivity and collaboration, organizations of any size, scale, or industry can transform into more innovative outfits.
Becoming more innovative involves tracking the performance of your activities, sourcing and prioritizing ideas, fostering a culture of innovation, and having access to knowledge outside of your company and space.
Culture of innovation
Leadership buy-in and resources
Strategy and overarching goals to link innovations to
Tools and processes to supercharge your success
Old Mutual is a Pan-African financial services company that operates across 14 countries. Check out the video below to see how they transformed their innovation approach from annual to always-on with the help of Wazoku.