Welcome Theis Barenkopf Dinesen to this episode were we go deep into the topic “Innovation as business growth enabler”
This is a more experimental episode were we left my standard questions and focus on Theis experience as a innovation facilitator and his experience from many industries, studies and jobs.
The structure of the interview looks as following:
Educational background: Digital Design, Design Future, Business Administration
Professional background: As an employee, consultant, startup/personal business owner and innovation facilitator
His overall approach to innovation in a business context2) What is innovation - in a business context
Ideas are like horses - you need many to before you can choose the fastest
It is more risky not to be innovative and take chances, than it is not doing it
Is not a one-man-band, it’s a collaborating ensemble
Is not a luxury, it's a necessity because the world is changing and customers are unholy bastards
Is not confined to products and services, it can happen in many areas, from processes, costumer service to logistics, payment and customers experience
Is a sliding scale, from super shallow (paint you product in a new colour) to infinitely deep (intergalactic space travel)
Needs to have boundaries the same way as the rest of the organisation (regard it on equal terms with other organisational efforts)
Needs to be a constant, not a one day event3) Innovation as a strategic business development tool
The innovative environment: Organisational innovation enabling as one of the key competences of top management
Stop just talking about:
A zero fail culture - live it
Tearing down silos - allow them to overflow
Being agile and change ready - and then hire next quarter accountants
Cases on strategic briefs
LEGO: "A brick centred for girls age 6 to 12"
Newspaper from burning money to be profitable again
Trophy games: "Make more money (without spending more)”
4) Innovation as a employee development tool
As a collaborator: Innovation needs to happen in an open and sharing environment with many competences present, being the perfect environment to make cross-organisational collaboration happen
As a change-maker: Many people are afraid of change and will thus resist it. But bringing new product/services to the market and thus continue to be a relevant company is understandable for everybody, and changes happening because of that, are easier accepted throughout the whole organisation
As a personnel developer: When employees get to show new sides of themselves, they feel better and you as an employer get to realise more of their value
As an overall growth enabler: Be able to see and realise new opportunities
An idea is just an idea - work you ass off on “THE Idea!”
Innovation is about SHARING - NOT Protecting
Let yourself be inspired from other areas than you core competence ground (art, business, departments, children…)
Don’t shy away from aiming for the stars - you can always compromise later
Don’t draw rockets - build railsReach out to Theis Barenkopf Dinesen:
Company Idea & daughters www.idda.dk
Subscribe to the podcast and share it with your friends