Open source

“Too many companies see innovation as merely coming up with new products or services. Certainly, that’s part of it. But at its core, innovation is all about thinking differently than you have in the past. It’s about finding new ways to improve internal systems and processes.” -Forbes Magazine

The pursuit of business sustainability and innovative change does not have to originate from any one, single source. It can generate from within your own company at the ground level, from the customers you service to your suppliers. Often the least recognized resources can be the greatest source of information, which can make a significant difference. Questions to consider:

• Is the access to creativity limited by the structures of the organization?
• What are some tools and strategies that could help overcome these barriers?

Staying Ahead When Innovation Itself Is Changing discusses an evolved perspective of competitive creativity. It is no longer simply a requirement to innovate, because most companies are on that track already. The key attributes of today’s sustainability leaders are the ability to become comprehensive yet efficient in the process.

“While the extended transnational logic of reverse innovation is compelling, it doesn’t address the challenges of global innovation…managing global innovation is an order of magnitude more complex than performing reverse, but essentially local, innovation…global innovation is about accessing unique and differentiated skills and capabilities from all over the world and bringing these together in innovations.”

By allowing for an environment of creative ideas and inspired actions, businesses can create an innovative culture that promotes long-term business sustainability. But the key is active engagement! Thus the question facing many executives: Should the company throw open the corporate boardroom doors to leverage the value of sustainable business resources?