Open Innovation Initiatives That Have Inspired Me

What Inspires You?

by Stefan Lindegaard

I was recently interviewed by Lucy Douglas for an article in Business Management. You can read the full article here: Out in the Open

During the interview, Lucy asked me this question:

Can you give some examples of open innovation initiatives from major corporations or brands that have inspired you?

My response:

I like how Intuit, the financial software company, try to bridge virtual and physical activities through their Intuit Collaboratory initiative.

I like how GE developed apps for their recent Ecomagination challenge and I hope this will inspire other companies to look into how social media tools can help open innovation efforts.

I have been working with Psion, the maker of handheld rugged mobile computers and I like how John Conoley, their CEO approaches open innovation with a mindset that acknowledges that they do not have all the answers and that the most important job in their early phases is to set the right conditions.

P&G is viewed as the open innovation champion and this is well earned. One example is their Connect+Develop site, which now has five languages because P&G understands the importance of adjusting innovation to cultural issues in our global world.

I also like how General Mills spread the word about their efforts in small “town hall” like meetings and I still remember a very insightful and open presentation given by one of their key executives. It really showed how General Mills believes in the principles of sharing.

What inspires you?

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Stefan Lindegaard is a speaker, network facilitator and strategic advisor who focus on the topics of open innovation, intrapreneurship and how to identify and develop the people who drive innovation.