Open innovation begins with communication
The fun part of business development, is that you get to talk to lots of people about:
+ what they want to do
+ what work they like
+ why they think it is/was successful
When the subject turns to co-creation, open innovation or social production, there are a few reference organization outside the technology world – P&G and Starbucks are probably the most cited.
I am always curious about why people think these organizations are succeeding. In some cases, we talk about tools and processes and change management. And invariably we get to legal and IP and how that is managed.
But I fear we miss one very critical piece of the puzzle – telling people that your organization is open to outsiders (not just to innovation). I can’t help feeling that when P&G launched Connect and Develop, the constant drumbeat about wanting to get 50% of innovation from outside, was critical to success.
If people understand that your organization is open and willing to partner, they will find you – they will find your people via linkedin, the will email you, they will make an effort to find the people to talk to because they believe there will be a reward. Even the best tools, processes, IP and change management wont convince people outside your organization to show up and want to find a way to work with you.
Open innovation begins with communication.
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