Process of INNOVATION

What’s the basic model of innovation? How can organizations ensure that innovations give them a competitive edge in the market? Innovation mean different for different organization. Product innovation for a supplier can be a process innovation for a user. We will focus on the basic process and highlight some examples to know more about Innovation. Generally, in an organization, Marketing, R&D and operation can combine to generate innovation. But, the crucial part is to understand how the vendors that supply outsourced services and technology can play a part in the innovation process. Along with that, it is essential to differentiate whether the innovation is a radical or incremental one and how the resources in these departments can be used to make the process a success. There has to be an integrator who not only integrates the three areas but also manages the portfolio of innovation. As far as the R&D is concerned, the success of innovation depends on the number of researchers and their lab/machinery endowments. As far as the Marketing department is concerned, Knowledge Management plays a key role. Interaction with users and the implicit knowledge in the marketing departments often play a crucial role for innovation. Education, learning and social rules are key determinants both in innovation and the diffusion phase. The Integrator must ensure that the process takes place smoothly and the deliverables are properly measured. Ensuring quality in the innovation process is of utmost importance.

Noone does innovation better than IBM. If we consider the IBM, the vision is to collaborate more with the clients to apply technology while delivering innovation. According to Paul Horn, Senior Vice President, IBM Research, the trends in the future decades are as follows:

1) More than ever before, innovation will become critical for businesses of the future to differentiate themselves. I/T will facilitate this innovation by allowing for new channels for the delivery of products and services, and novel business models.

2) I/T suppliers will evolve into innovation suppliers through services scenarios, with innovation coming from "open" collaborations with customers, partners and suppliers, as well as academia, government and other parties.

3) This will demand new skills, driving academia to adapt to ensure competitiveness.

IBM manages Innovation through

·Joint Programs Model where the focus is on funding mechanism, team integration and fresh approaches to projects.

·Exploratory vs Applied Research where the key areas are Nanotechnology, Autonomic Computing, Millepede and Webfountain.

·Treating clients as partners in the innovation process.

·Changing the culture of innovation by organizing research partnerships, talent plan, w3Jams

Some of the things, which IBM believes can add a value to the innovation process is to hire smart people, ensure a variety of thinking with a critical mass, set milestones, maintain flexibility, embrace risk and creating a fluid community.

Lets INNOVATE