Innovation Capacity is Hidden in Plain Sight
Aldo de Jong
![Aldo de Jong]()
Aldo de Jong
Partner Innovation firm, CEO 14y | ex-Meta, Claro Partners, GE, Startupbootcamp, Justo, IESE MBA
After a year at Facebook and watching clients over the last 17 years, I observed that typically companies and consultants try to improve innovation by:
- Creating a culture of innovation
- Adopting processes and methodologies for innovation
- Fostering the right skills and talents (only the more advanced ones, to be fair)
However, I believe these are just the top of the iceberg. Seeing them systemically fail to innovate, I believe what actually holds organizations back to innovate is below the surface of the iceberg. While I don’t know all the reasons, 3 of them stand out:
- Decision making process taking 3-9 months in between typical innovation projects of 3 months. “Innovation boards” often are the dead knell to innovation.
- Lacking strategic intent to innovate, to reinvent the business model
- Awareness and understanding by leaders about innovation and the future is lacking. For example understanding that what works today, will not work at some point in the future, even if it brings in huge sums of revenue today.
Once you recognize there is an iceberg, meaning you understand that most is hidden from sight, the least you can do is start looking for what’s below the surface.
What do you think is below the surface?
Co-Founder at InspiredHUMNS
4 年I think you've nailed it. Innovation requires getting uncomfortable and making changes. Many org's are resistant to change, even if it might bring better rewards.
VOSTA LMG
4 年Many people tend to like their own ideas more than someone else’s. More so in an environment where personal performance is rewarded above the performance of the larger group. No real innovation can occur if no-one supports the ideas of another. Innovation requires teamwork, where each member should be recognised for their role and value in the process.