Corporate Innovation - Two shades of grey
Jemma Iles
Chief Futures and People Officer | Innovation, Future Readiness, People and Culture
The world of innovation is a fascinating blend of two distinct forces: the process efficiency of established corporations and the creative efficiency of agile startups. While both aim to achieve the same goal – creating and capturing value – their approaches differ significantly.
Corporate giants are masters of scalability and execution. Their established processes, vast resources, and deep market penetration allow them to get things done efficiently. Imagine a well-oiled machine churning out innovations at an exceptional rate. That's the power of process efficiency.
However, this efficiency can sometimes come at the cost of agility and creativity. The very structures that enable corporations to execute flawlessly can also stifle their ability to think outside the box. Legacy systems, risk aversion, and rigid hierarchies can create a culture that favours incremental improvements over radical breakthroughs.
On the other hand, small, early-stage ventures thrive on nimbleness and imagination. Unburdened by cumbersome structures and unshackled by past successes, they are free to explore uncharted territories and embrace unconventional ideas. They are the nimble scouts, constantly venturing beyond the known to discover new opportunities!
Their creative efficiency allows them to iterate quickly, adapt to changing circumstances, and experiment with new technologies and approaches. However, their lack of resources and market presence can limit their ability to scale their innovations and reach a wider audience.
So, how can we bridge the gap between these two seemingly disparate worlds?
The answer lies in collaboration. When corporations and startups join forces, they create a powerful synergy that can unlock unprecedented levels of innovation. Hence the Australian Innovation Management Institute (AIMI) was created to encourage this collaboration to happen.
Corporations can provide startups with the necessary resources, market access, and expertise to scale their innovations. In turn, startups can inject much-needed creativity and agility into corporate innovation processes. This cross-pollination of ideas and resources can lead to the development of truly groundbreaking solutions that address real-world challenges.
However, collaboration is not without its challenges. Different cultures, priorities, and risk appetites can create friction and hinder progress. To overcome these obstacles, both parties need to be open to compromise, mutual learning, and a shared vision for the future.
Bringing colour to the shades of grey
Professor Fiona Wood and her groundbreaking 'spray-on skin' technology, ReCell, perfectly illustrate this dynamic. This revolutionary treatment for burn victims was born out of a start-up mindset, characterised by creative efficiency and the willingness to challenge existing paradigms.
Facing the limitations of conventional skin grafting techniques, Professor Wood and her team embarked on a bold journey to create a solution that would dramatically improve the lives of burn survivors.
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Working with minimal resources they embodied the agile spirit of a startup – experimenting, iterating, and constantly pushing boundaries.
However, to achieve widespread adoption and maximise its impact, ReCell needed to enter the corporate world. This transition presented its own set of challenges. Navigating the complex landscape of established medical device companies and protecting intellectual property required a different skillset.
Professor Wood made a critical decision at this juncture. Recognising the potential for ReCell to be overshadowed by corporate interests, she opted to sacrifice intellectual property control. Instead, she established the Fiona Wood Foundation (originally the McComb Foundation), a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to ensuring ReCell's accessibility and affordability, and commitment to burns research.
This bold move exemplifies the power of prioritising impact over personal gain. By relinquishing full control over their invention, they prioritised the well-being of burn victims, ensuring that ReCell would reach those who needed it most. This selfless act demonstrates a commitment to social good that transcends the profit-driven motives often associated with corporate innovation.
Today, ReCell stands as a testament to the powerful synergy that can be achieved when the creative efficiency of a startup blends with the resources and reach of a corporation. This case study highlights the importance of collaboration, open-mindedness, and a shared vision for the greater good in driving meaningful innovation.
Professor Wood's story serves as a beacon of inspiration, a story she shared at our recent AIMI event held at the Engineers Australia Perth office, reminding our audience that innovation is not limited by resources or institutional barriers. It can thrive under any circumstance, fuelled by a passion for making a difference and a willingness to break free from the constraints of conventional thinking.
Professor Wood is an Ambassador for the Australian Innovation Management Institute, and a strong advocate for innovation management to become a global discipline. She told event attendees that "Education and training is how we will continue to drive innovation. AIMI is going to deliver that and provide opportunities for collaboration between all different sized organisations."
As we continue to explore the two shades of grey in the realm of innovation, let us draw upon Professor Wood's example and strive for collaborations that prioritise social impact and unlock the potential for a healthier, brighter future.
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"Collaboration is key ??. As Henry Ford once said, 'Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.' Your event epitomizes this through the unity of corporate and startup worlds for impactful innovation. Excited for what AIMI's future holds! ?? #InnovationForImpact"
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11 个月Keep up the outstanding work Jemma Iles and Australian Innovation Management Institute (AIMI)!