Key Concepts in Open Innovation from PDMA/MRT
Co-Development Conference 2010
Make a plan. identify gaps in your internal innovation
process, prioritize your immediate needs, and develop a
one-year plan, the next year’s plan, and so on. This gives
you a phased roll-out and a strategic approach.
Set clear objectives. Before beginning an Open innovation approach, be clear on objectives and roles for both
internal and external innovation initiatives. you’ll thank
yourself later when you avoid major debates or pushback
from your team.
Get ready for a culture change. culture change is, by
definition, always involved in Open innovation. The most
likely response from internal R&D will be fear as you look
outside for innovation. So, you need to create a team environment and foster the sharing of ideas and information.
Relationships are critical. The right technologies to get
you where you need to be are important, but fundamentally
it’s people. For Open innovation, companies need the right
skills and the right people at the right time.
Leverage your early wins. Open innovation is a long
process. To keep your team engaged, leverage your early
wins as successes with internal innovators.
Become a partner of choice. position yourself as an
attractive partner so that outside suppliers come to you
first. in turn, you’ll attract the best ideas.
— cheryl perkins
coDev 2010 conference chair
