Tag Archives: Connect+Develop

Tapping into Global Innovation Hubs

Leave a reply

Beyond Your Own Backyard

Tapping into Global Innovation Hubs

GUEST POST from Art Inteligencia

In a world where even the most dynamic ecosystems can benefit immensely from looking beyond their immediate surroundings, one thing has become clear: groundbreaking ideas and transformative technologies are emerging from innovation hubs across the globe. For organizations serious about staying ahead of the curve and fostering a truly human-centered approach to change, tapping into these global networks is not just advantageous—it’s essential.

Innovation doesn’t occur in a vacuum. It thrives on the cross-pollination of ideas, diverse perspectives, and access to specialized talent and resources. Limiting our focus to our own backyard can lead to blind spots and missed opportunities. Global innovation hubs, each with its unique strengths and cultural nuances, offer a wealth of potential partnerships, insights into emerging trends, and access to cutting-edge research and development. By strategically engaging with these hubs, organizations can accelerate their innovation cycles, gain a deeper understanding of global markets, and develop solutions that are truly world-class and human-centered.

Tapping into global innovation hubs requires a deliberate and strategic approach. It’s not just about taking a trip to a well-known tech center; it’s about building meaningful connections and fostering long-term collaborations. Key strategies for leveraging these global networks include:

  • Establishing a Global Scouting Network: Actively monitoring innovation trends and identifying key players and emerging technologies in different hubs around the world.
  • Participating in International Conferences and Events: Engaging with global thought leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs to build relationships and gain firsthand insights.
  • Forming Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations: Teaming up with innovative companies, research institutions, and startups in other regions to access specialized expertise and resources.
  • Establishing Remote Innovation Teams or Satellite Offices: Creating a physical presence in key global hubs to foster deeper engagement and tap into local talent pools.
  • Facilitating Cross-Cultural Knowledge Sharing: Creating internal mechanisms to share insights and learnings gained from global engagements across the organization.

Case Study 1: Procter & Gamble’s “Connect + Develop” Program

The Challenge: Accelerating Innovation and Expanding R&D Capabilities Beyond Internal Resources

Procter & Gamble (P&G), a global consumer goods giant, recognized that relying solely on its internal R&D capabilities would limit its ability to innovate at the speed required by the market. They understood that groundbreaking ideas and technologies were emerging from diverse sources around the world, far beyond their Cincinnati headquarters.

Tapping into Global Innovation:

P&G launched its “Connect + Develop” program with the explicit goal of sourcing more than 50% of its innovations from outside the company. This involved actively scouting for promising technologies, patents, and startups across the globe. They established a network of external partners, including universities, research institutions, small businesses, and individual inventors in innovation hubs worldwide. P&G created a user-friendly portal for external innovators to submit their ideas and actively participated in international innovation conferences and events to forge new connections. This open innovation approach allowed them to tap into a much wider pool of talent and ideas than they could access internally.

The Impact:

The “Connect + Develop” program has been widely successful for P&G. It has significantly accelerated their innovation pipeline, reduced R&D costs, and enabled them to bring new and improved products to market faster. By looking beyond their own backyard and actively engaging with global innovation hubs, P&G has demonstrated the power of open innovation to drive growth and maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving global marketplace. Their commitment to external collaboration has become a cornerstone of their innovation strategy.

Key Insight: Actively seeking external partnerships and engaging with global innovation ecosystems can significantly accelerate an organization’s innovation capacity and provide access to a wider range of ideas and technologies.

Case Study 2: The Rise of Tel Aviv as a Global Cybersecurity Hub and Corporate Engagement

The Challenge: Staying Ahead of Evolving Cybersecurity Threats

Cybersecurity has become a paramount concern for organizations across all industries. The threat landscape is constantly evolving, with sophisticated attacks emerging from various corners of the globe. Traditional, internally focused security measures often struggle to keep pace with these rapid advancements.

Leveraging a Global Hub:

Tel Aviv, Israel, has emerged as a global powerhouse in cybersecurity innovation, boasting a high concentration of cutting-edge startups, research institutions, and specialized talent. Recognizing this, many multinational corporations have established a significant presence in Tel Aviv to tap into this vibrant ecosystem. This engagement takes various forms, including setting up R&D centers, investing in local startups, and forming strategic partnerships with Israeli cybersecurity firms. These companies understand that by being physically present in this global hub, they gain early access to groundbreaking technologies, can recruit top cybersecurity experts, and develop solutions that are at the forefront of the industry. The collaborative environment in Tel Aviv, fostered by government support and a culture of innovation, provides a unique advantage for companies seeking to bolster their cybersecurity defenses.

The Impact:

Companies that have strategically engaged with the Tel Aviv cybersecurity hub have significantly enhanced their ability to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats. By embedding themselves in this global center of expertise, they gain a deeper understanding of emerging threats and have access to innovative solutions that might not be available elsewhere. This case study illustrates how identifying and actively participating in specialized global innovation hubs can provide a critical advantage in rapidly evolving fields like cybersecurity, where staying ahead requires a global perspective and access to the latest breakthroughs.

Key Insight: Identifying and strategically engaging with specialized global innovation hubs can provide organizations with access to unique expertise, talent, and emerging technologies in critical and rapidly evolving fields.

Expanding Your Innovation Horizon

To truly unlock our potential for human-centered change and to develop solutions with global impact, we must cultivate a mindset of global engagement. By actively looking beyond our own backyard, building meaningful connections with innovation hubs around the world, and embracing the diversity of thought and expertise they offer, we can accelerate our innovation journeys and create a future where groundbreaking ideas can emerge from anywhere and benefit everyone.

Extra Extra: Futurology is not fortune telling. Futurists use a scientific approach to create their deliverables, but a methodology and tools like those in FutureHacking™ can empower anyone to engage in futurology themselves.

Image credit: Pixabay

Subscribe to Human-Centered Change & Innovation WeeklySign up here to get Human-Centered Change & Innovation Weekly delivered to your inbox every week.

The Importance of Diversity in Innovation Teams

Leave a reply

The Importance of Diversity in Innovation Teams

GUEST POST from Chateau G Pato

In a world defined by rapid change and complexity, innovation is the engine of progress. But what powers innovation? The answer lies in diversity—the rich tapestry of perspectives, experiences, and ideas that diverse teams bring to the table. Diversity in innovation teams is not a luxury; it’s a necessity for creating solutions that resonate with a global audience. Diverse teams challenge assumptions, uncover blind spots, and spark breakthroughs that homogenous groups often overlook. In this article, we’ll explore why diversity is critical to innovation, examine two powerful case studies, and offer practical steps for building inclusive teams that drive human-centered change.

Why Diversity Fuels Innovation

Diversity in innovation teams encompasses more than demographics like race, gender, or age. It includes cognitive diversity—different ways of thinking and problem-solving—as well as socioeconomic, geographic, and professional diversity. This multifaceted approach ensures that teams approach challenges from multiple angles, leading to more creative and effective solutions. A 2015 McKinsey study found that companies in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity were 15% more likely to achieve above-average financial returns, while those with gender diversity were 25% more likely to outperform their peers.

But the benefits go beyond numbers. Diverse teams foster psychological safety, where team members feel empowered to share bold ideas without fear of judgment. This environment is critical for human-centered innovation, which relies on empathy to address the needs of diverse audiences. However, diversity alone isn’t enough—organizations must cultivate inclusion to ensure every voice is heard and valued. Without inclusion, diversity can lead to conflict or disengagement, undermining innovation efforts.

Case Study 1: IBM’s Design Thinking Transformation

In the early 2010s, IBM faced a challenge: how to stay competitive in a fast-evolving tech landscape. The company turned to design thinking, a human-centered approach to innovation, and prioritized diversity in its teams. IBM assembled cross-functional groups that included engineers, designers, data scientists, and marketers from diverse cultural, racial, and professional backgrounds. These teams were trained to empathize with users, define problems collaboratively, and prototype solutions iteratively.

The impact was profound. Diverse teams helped shape IBM’s Watson AI platform, ensuring its applications—particularly in healthcare—addressed the needs of varied patient populations. For example, insights from team members with international healthcare experience led to features that supported multilingual patient interactions, improving accessibility. By 2018, IBM reported a 300% increase in ROI for design-driven projects, with diverse teams credited for identifying user needs that might have been missed by less varied groups.

“Our diverse teams brought perspectives that challenged our assumptions and made Watson a truly global solution,” said Phil Gilbert, former President of IBM Design. “Inclusion was the key to unlocking their potential.”

[Image: A diverse IBM team collaborates in a design thinking workshop, using sticky notes and whiteboards to map user journeys. Alt text: A group of professionals from varied backgrounds brainstorming around a whiteboard filled with colorful sticky notes.]

Case Study 2: Procter & Gamble’s Connect + Develop Program

Procter & Gamble (P&G) revolutionized its innovation strategy with its Connect + Develop program, launched in the early 2000s. The initiative sought external partnerships to co-create products, and diversity was at its core. P&G formed teams that blended internal employees with external experts from startups, academia, and global communities, representing diverse industries, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This approach disrupted P&G’s traditional thinking and led to groundbreaking innovations.

The Swiffer product line is a prime example. A diverse team of chemists, marketers, and external designers from varied cultural contexts collaborated to address unmet consumer needs for convenient cleaning. Insights from team members with experience in emerging markets ensured the Swiffer was affordable and practical for a wide range of households. The result? Swiffer became a $1 billion brand within a few years, contributing to P&G’s reported 50% innovation success rate through Connect + Develop.

“Diversity gave us a window into consumer needs we hadn’t seen before,” said Laura Becker, a former P&G innovation leader. “Our global team members brought ideas that transformed our approach.”

[Image: A Swiffer product prototype being tested by a diverse focus group in a real-world setting. Alt text: A group of people from different backgrounds testing a Swiffer mop in a home environment.]

Overcoming Challenges in Diverse Teams

While diversity drives innovation, it can also present challenges. Differing perspectives may lead to conflict, and unconscious bias can hinder inclusion. To address these issues, organizations must invest in training to mitigate bias, establish clear communication norms, and promote active listening. Leaders should also set shared goals to align diverse teams around a common purpose, ensuring that differences become a source of strength rather than division.

Building Diverse Innovation Teams: Practical Steps

Creating diverse, inclusive innovation teams requires intentional action. Here are five practical steps to get started:

  • Recruit with Purpose: Actively seek talent from underrepresented groups and diverse disciplines to build a robust talent pipeline.
  • Foster Psychological Safety: Create a culture where team members feel safe to share ideas and take risks, using tools like anonymous feedback systems.
  • Use Human-Centered Frameworks: Adopt design thinking or similar approaches to focus on empathy and user needs, leveraging diversity to understand varied audiences.
  • Train for Inclusion: Provide regular training on unconscious bias and inclusive leadership to ensure all voices are valued.
  • Measure and Celebrate Success: Track diversity metrics and celebrate innovations driven by diverse teams to reinforce their value.

By implementing these steps, organizations can harness the full potential of diversity to drive innovation that resonates with a global market.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Diversity is the cornerstone of innovation in a connected world. The case studies of IBM and P&G demonstrate that diverse teams deliver measurable results—higher ROI, breakthrough products, and solutions that serve diverse audiences. But building such teams requires commitment. As leaders, we must challenge ourselves to recruit inclusively, foster psychological safety, and leverage human-centered tools to unlock creativity. The future of innovation depends on our ability to embrace the full spectrum of human potential. Start today—audit your teams, identify gaps in diversity, and take action to build a more inclusive innovation culture.

Extra Extra: Because innovation is all about change, Braden Kelley’s human-centered change methodology and tools are the best way to plan and execute the changes necessary to support your innovation and transformation efforts — all while literally getting everyone all on the same page for change. Find out more about the methodology and tools, including the book Charting Change by following the link. Be sure and download the TEN FREE TOOLS while you’re here.

Image credit: Pexels

Guest AI: Grok

Subscribe to Human-Centered Change & Innovation WeeklySign up here to get Human-Centered Change & Innovation Weekly delivered to your inbox every week.