How can you identify the most important players in an innovation ecosystem?

3 Engage with your ecosystem

The third step is to engage with your innovation ecosystem and build trust, alignment, and collaboration with the key players. You can use different strategies and mechanisms to do this, such as co-creation, open innovation, matchmaking, networking, or brokering. The goal is to create and exchange value with your ecosystem partners, and to leverage their resources, capabilities, and networks to enhance your innovation potential and impact.

4 Monitor your ecosystem

The fourth step is to monitor your innovation ecosystem and track its evolution, trends, and challenges. You can use different sources and methods to do this, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, or data analytics. The goal is to collect and analyze feedback and evidence from your ecosystem stakeholders, and to adapt and update your ecosystem map and assessment accordingly.

5 Learn from your ecosystem

The fifth step is to learn from your innovation ecosystem and generate insights, lessons, and best practices. You can use different tools and techniques to do this, such as case studies, benchmarking, storytelling, or knowledge management. The goal is to capture and share the knowledge and experience gained from your ecosystem interactions, and to apply them to improve your innovation processes and outcomes.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?