Do You Have What It Takes to Lead Innovation?

Abstract

I will start with the premise that innovation is a business process, requiring cross-functional participation. It is not something that should be delegated to R&D/Engineering. Innovation works so much better when Sales, Marketing, Finance, Operations, Legal, and R&D all work together in lockstep to bring a product to the market. Wouldn’t it be great if Marketing had the vision to look around corners, anticipate customer needs, and direct R&D to pursue specific avenues? Wouldn’t it be great if Sales had such great and trusting relationships with beta-site customers anxious to test and debug the latest and greatest new stuff? Wouldn’t it be great if Operations was quick to interrupt their production schedule to make prototypes, implement new designs and process controls, source new raw materials and parts, identify necessary quality standards and develop advanced tests as needed? Wouldn’t it be great if Legal had a strategy and resources for intellectual property protection, and if Finance was quick to invest capital and expense for future growth?