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Hi, we run aninnovation office

Helping organizations find

is what we do.better ways to make money,

We handpicked9 valuable lessons for innovation managers who want to...

• Start a new innovation project

• Set up a kick-ass innovation team

• Impress Miss Lucy from Marketing

• Take out risk when launchinga new product or service

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...all based on our experience with

...

And feedback from people in our Linkedin Group +4500 members

already!Many thanks for your replies!

1. One eye, one target2. Buy-in or you’re out!3. You’re not the expert4. Game on! 5. Go stealth mode6. Hold on tight 7. Annoy people8. Do the alpha9. Back to square one

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Don’t try to solve all problems at once - stay focused

1/9

Michael Schoultz Director, Business Development - Northrop Grumman

Making sure (before starting) that you know and understand the problem you are trying to solve.

You don’t start an innovation project to do some “image building”

A clear goal is crucial - Define why you innovate!

1. One eye, one target

James Gardner Director - Bondaii Ltd

The initial goal or target may change dramatically as the project proceeds and better market opportunities emerge.

1. One eye, one target

But be aware! Over time, during your project you might have to

redefine your target when the context changes. Be flexible!

Know the importance of management buy-in

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2/9

Dick Lee CEO and Chief Innovation Officer - Value Innovations, Inc

The CEO must be a full supporter.

Don’t start without commitment from management. Don’t waste energy by pushing ideas upwards in the chain!

2. Buy-in or you’re out!

Laura Handrick Principal - Pearl Consulting

Executive buy in is critical.

Create multidisciplinary teams, select cross-departmental groups. We go for 1 core team (max 5) + an extended group (max 20)

2. Buy-in or you’re out!

John Brooker Expert facilitator - Yes! And...

The basic mantra "involve all functions!"... if all functions are involved in the innovation there is likely to be much more support moving forward.

Don’t be too shy to involve experts.

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3/9

As an innovation manager you can’t do everything by yourself.

Involve experts at every step & yes, clients can be experts too!

3. You’re not the expert

Sebastian Grodzietzki Head of Product Management - datango AG

Tip #1: Involving the target group (selected clients) in a very early stage.

Innovation should be exciting! - Live it up!

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4/9

There is no better incentive to create commitment and ensure a

continuous flow of ideas.Example: Our process is repacked in a “Movie Making” theme

So we have ‘a Cast’, ‘Scenario sessions’, ‘Premiere’, ‘Shooting’,...

4. Game on!

Luis OliveiraInnovation Director at DYB

Use your hands to think, play... but play serious games, as often as you can.

1. One eye, one target2. Buy-in or you’re out!3. You’re not the expert4. Game on! 5. Go stealth mode6. Hold on tight 7. Annoy people8. Do the alpha9. Back to square one

We’re halfway!

Know when to stay low profile.

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5/9

Innovation = Change = a red flag for many people

Be prepared to face resistance, often from within the company.

5. Go Stealth mode!

Tim WrightManaging Director - StepChange Strategy

Don’t kill creativity at its roots. i.e., less exposure is better in early stages.

Nathalie PicardProject Leader - Abbott

Don't make it look like it's potential innovation.

Keep firm control on the process.

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6/9

Innovation is about doing & creating new stuff,

by definition you’re taking a deep dive. Lower the risk in your project by taking small incremental steps

Be sure to have structured innovation process in place

6. Hold on tight

Chris TurnerDirector, Brand Strategy - TAG Media LLC

Coming up with good ideas is never the problem. Execution is where the challenges lie

If you don’t annoy people, you’re not innovating. Simple.

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7/9

Mixing the informal culture of innovation with traditional

corporate culture might be your biggest challenge. Pay enough attention to reporting and communication

7. Annoy people

Kevin PaylowVice President of Strategy at Sabre Energy Services, LLC

Never underestimate 'corporate antibodies’

Bill WyatteManager, Strategic Directions at Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland

People nodding doesn't mean that they agree with your proposition.

You’ll learn the most via prototypes and testing

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8/9

Test your ideas in a real market environment. Make a business prototype to get feedback on your project

Be careful, this is not an easy task!

8. Do the alpha

Sebastian Grodzietzki Head of Product Management - datango AG

Expect more clients (guinea pigs) to jump off their commitment for “preview – alpha – beta” testing.

You will have to start over.

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9/9

Innovation is not a one-time process. Document all lessons

learned from your project and iterate.Allocate enough resources in order to keep your pipeline filled up

9. Back to square one

Sebastian Grodzietzki Head of Product Management - datango AG

Have a system/infrastructure in place to track progresses, feedback and (agile) requirements changes.

Our structured way to create innovation blockbusters

Board of Innovation has delivered a surprising, very well structured and productive approach to our ‘innovation challenge’. Their strengths? A good planning (that was strictly followed!), very short response times, and a continuous focus, in combination with a pleasant way of taking us out of our comfort zone and letting us think ‘out of the box’. Caroline Ameloot - Marketing & Sales Director, Carglass / Belron

We very much enjoyed the training and will definitely use all the content and the method in the future.Steffi Wolring, Innovation Lead at Otto Group

Let’s have a virtual cup of coffee & discuss your innovation challenge!

coffee@boardofinnovation.com

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