Be Successful in “Addressing the Need”: The Must-Do Steps

In my March 22 post, I talked about some basic principles that should inform your open innovation efforts as you work to address your internal “customer’s” need. Today I’m going to give you four key strategies that will reap rewards for you down the line.

Store the Needs. Whether you implement a formal database of internal technical needs or maintain a spreadsheet, capture the information so you can cross-check the needs against your organization’s technology portfolio before you begin looking to outside sources.

Share the Needs. No one can come to your party if you don’t send invitations. So post appropriate information about the needs on your Web site and through other communication tools. Consider leveraging an online service for distributing need information, such as Flintbox, Incubator, yet2.com, iBridge Network or InnoCentive.

Explore the Funding Possibilities. If you’re having to pursue collaborative R&D to address the need, don’t assume that you and your partner are the only ones interested in it. Many government agencies, private foundations, and not-for-profits offer grants and such that could support the collaborative R&D. Page 10 of my Understand-Address-Present paper has a tip-of-the-iceberg list of such organizations.

Have an Infusion Plan. In some cases, such as aerospace and medical, a technology can only be infused if it successfully passes through key “gates” that help reduce the risks associated with new technology (e.g., flight tests and FDA approval). Having an infusion plan that sets the schedule for technology development—that is, what milestones need to be achieved when—helps ensure your technology is ready when it needs to be.

What tips do you have to successfully implement infusion within your organization?

–By Nannette Stangle-Castor, Ph.D.

The Understand-Address Present Series
Intro: Overcoming One of the Biggest Barriers to Open Innovation
Preface: Build Strong Relationships with Your Internal “Customers”
U: Understand Your Customer
A-Part 1: Address the Need
A-Part 2: Be Successful in Addressing the Need: The Must-Do Steps
P: Present the Solution