You're navigating new technology for business innovation. How can you cultivate a strategic mindset?

Curiosity is, hands down, the most important value when navigating new tech. Thoroughly explore what problems are in play and prioritize aspects of the tech that address the issues. From there, hold people accountable to maximizing the utilization. Sounds simple —- however, most use the tech they have marginally. Assigning someone to combat underutilization clearly yields better outcomes.

Curiosity needs to be driven by hands on trial, it is important to try innovations, not just read papers and news, to test these information with real data (could be mocked up), and to gain sufficient knowledge to understand its limitations. The main question is how and why, how it works, how it can help, why is not able to cover this. And step by step, gain the relevant answers

Something I've found critical when looking at organization change is to approach it from a people perspective. Here's my 2 cents... Curiosity is a highly inherent quality to most people...find the natural explorers and nurture them. Give them the dais to bring new ideas or just simply new information to the organisation. Consider it your outside-in market-backwards pipe with (almost) no filter

Start by fostering curiosity within your team as the driving force behind your innovation efforts. In today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape, maintaining a sense of wonder can unlock new opportunities. Think of your team as explorers—the more curious they are, the more avenues they’ll discover. Just as Google encourages "what if" questions to fuel its innovations, you should inspire your team to ask bold questions and challenge assumptions. This approach transforms challenges into solvable puzzles, laying the groundwork for a flexible, dynamic strategy. Encourage your team to dig deeper, question the status quo, and let curiosity lead the way.

Make sure to guide your team using trend analysis as their navigation tool. Like explorers depend on maps to find their way in new territories, understanding market trends and new technologies will help your team chart a successful course. Take a cue from Spotify, which recognized the potential of streaming music early on and revolutionized the industry. Equip your team with data analytics tools to identify patterns that align with future trends and keep them ahead of the competition. By taking this proactive approach, your team won't just react to change; they'll anticipate it. Encourage them to stay vigilant and use trends to inform their innovation strategies.

<Continuing from above...> We're now moving from the curious cats to the practical dreamers (aka problem solvers) Encourage your grounded techies to apply new age tech to solve an existing problem in a new way... if they find considerable merit at this micro-level, it adds tremendous value to your macro view

One thing I’ve found helpful is to look outside the target company, what are other doings, how companies are experimenting in other regions. If I want a competitive advantage I would like to evolve what my direct competitors or my markets are trying. In addition, I need to understand the root trend: is this just marketing? is there a government allowance? is this providing real value? I usually think around the trend with a critical eye and try to understand the motos of that trend, where (industries and regions) it is raising and then why.

<Continuing from above...> Here's where we apply the filters... & Its time for your devils advocates to shine Let them poke holes in the air castles and get you down to a solid foundation P.S : Don't task them with coming up with solutions. They're never good at it

Risk definition from my view is a potential negative impact. That definition makes clear that we need to identify first the impacts, what processes, people, tools the technology will impact, what are the expected benefits from those and then, what can go wrong. There are always two sequential objectives of a risk assessment: go/no-go decision and, if go, how do I minimise risks. This triggers a process of thinking on, as explained before, what are the impacts, and, then, how do I minimise the impacts, how do I set up barriers (e.g., predictive monitoring) to avoid that a beneficial impact moves to the harmful side.

Encourage your team to approach risk assessment as a confident balancing act on the tightrope of innovation. Every new technology brings both opportunities and risks, and it’s crucial for your team to fully understand them. Look at how Tesla effectively manages the risks of pioneering electric vehicles through continuous safety and market evaluations. By conducting thorough risk assessments, your team can anticipate potential pitfalls and develop strategies to mitigate them. This doesn’t mean they should avoid risks but manage them strategically to drive sustainable growth. Guide your team to confidently embrace uncertainty, but with a well-calculated approach.

<Continuing from above...> Now comes the biggest chasm that most organisations fail to cross Find a balance to all of the aforementioned and build an ecosystem where all the 3 characters don't just survive, but thrive in cohesion Organizations that can build this culture are usually the ones who can adopt new tech and bring out innovations 'consistently'

Lead your team with a decisive vision that becomes their guiding force. Collaboration isn't just about working together. It's about creating the synergy that drives groundbreaking innovation. Take IBM's Watson project as a prime example of diverse minds coming together to achieve something truly remarkable. Work closely with your team to develop a vision that galvanizes everyone, encouraging open dialogue and collective problem-solving. This approach guarantees that each team member's insights contribute to your journey of innovation. Unify your team under this shared vision, and witness how their combined efforts can conquer even the most challenging obstacles.

Encourage your team to prioritize continuous learning to stay competitive in innovation. In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, it's essential for your team to update their skills and knowledge regularly. Amazon's significant investment in employee development sets a great example of building a learning culture that drives adaptation. Support training, workshops, and hands-on experimentation to keep your team sharp. This unwavering commitment to growth will enhance individual capabilities and drive your team's collective progress. Make learning a core part of your strategy to ensure your team remains agile and innovative.