The biggest challenge multinational companies face today is how to build an organisation where collaboration is sustainably enabled by technology, processes, capabilities and behaviours. Where collective intelligence becomes the ‘muscle’ behind innovation. And where people, individually and as teams, work beyond their job description, and everyone, anywhere, can make a difference.
10 best practices for cross-border innovation. Number 10 is all about results
No returns, no play. Many innovation programmes have been shut down based on this mindset. How to make sure that yours won’t? Our services and software teams have joined efforts to create a structured model that makes sure idea management works and you, as an innovation executive, regain control of your mission. We have thus developed an idea management formula that produces results. Always.
10 best practices for cross-border innovation. Number 9 makes this a shared journey
People need to understand clearly the common journey ahead (purpose-driven communication in action), and to have a voice in the process. Besides, they need to trust the process.
10 best practices for cross-border innovation. Number 8 has to be properly geared
Online platforms are powerful innovation enablers – the building blocks to produce outcomes. But they won’t stand on their own. If you want to create a true innovation culture, you need to have as many people as possible participating in the process. You need to manage those tools efficiently.
10 best practices for cross-border innovation. Number 7 ignites motivation
‘What’s in it for me?’ is the question your people will ask. Incentives motivate people. It’s not necessarily about tangible rewards such as prizes, but, most of all, recognition. Being recognised and to gain visibility inside the organisation motivates people to contribute to idea management programmes in every stage of the process – from thinking to creation to action.
10 best practices for cross-border innovation. Number 6 assures community awareness
If people don’t come, your innovation efforts stand no chance. Active and clear communication is fundamental to maximising engagement, guaranteeing adequate participation. It also assures community awareness. Building a witty communication plan – one that lives and breathes innovation – is paramount for the success of your idea management programme across borders.
10 best practices for cross-border innovation. Number 5 gets you to pick the right fights
Whether you seek to apply innovation management to solving very specific business challenges or to creating a companywide culture and capability, ask yourself, ‘What do I want to change in my organisation?’ Understanding your ambitions helps you materialise a migration path, set your expectations and allocate resources more rationally.
10 best practices for cross-border innovation: Analysing number 4
Nike’s goal is ‘to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world’. Barnes & Noble bookstores’ mission statement is ‘to operate the best specialty retail business in America, regardless of the product we sell’. And Starbuck’s motto is ‘to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighbourhood at a time’. What is the perfect umbrella for your initiative?
10 best practices for cross-border innovation: Analysing number 3
What sometimes is less obvious when launching your innovation programme across borders, is the need for a constituency inside your company to provide needed support throughout different phases of the process. Still, forget about employing a huge army of innovation musketeers. That’s not going to happen.
10 best practices for cross-border innovation: Analysing number 2
We’ve seen that, not just sponsorship, is key when developing an innovation management initiave across borders. I won’t lecture on the importance of the second must-have: the capital to effectively launch and manage your programme. This is clear, and I’m sure you’re taking care of it.