Sagantia is a UK based technology and product development company that I've been studying as part of the research for a new project. Among the many interesting things they do is run an innovation boot camp (click on the link to download a case description), which has many characteristics in common with other innovation sessions that I have organized myself. It's got a lot of similarities to the driving organic growth and innovation program that Bob Cooper led for some time at DuPont and for other companies. Among the salient features:
- Rock-ribbed senior level commitment from the top to provide resources once an idea is endorsed
- Time to focus on ideas that could lead to possible business, rather than shoring up existing businesses
- Facilitation by experts with a process architecture (in the Sagantia case, it's a three week intensive process; in the Market Driven Growth case it involves several iterations over a few months)
- Input from external experts and customers as well as insiders
- Clear decision points and clear decision criteria
- Generation of lots of ideas to get to a few that might be worthwhile
- A process of true engagement, not just an 'event' or lip service
We've all been part of those horrible 'no idea is a bad idea' brainstorming sessions where everyone has a good time and nothing ever happens. Case studies such as the Sagantia example can help us from getting off on the wrong track.