Here’s a recap from our #innochat session on Measuring an innovation ecosystem. Below are the questions we discussed with my own and answers as well as responses from other participants.
Want to read the whole chat? Great! You can find the complete transcript of the chat in PDF.
What do you think are the critical components of an innovation ecosystem?
Before the obvious ones such as infrastructure and funding, you need culture: beliefs and attitudes. Most governments immediately aim to put in the place the hard stuff (funding, infrastructure) before the soft stuff (culture).
. A1 software (beliefs, ideas, conversations, etc.) and hardware (support system, infrastructure, etc..) – #innochat
— Jorge Barba (@jorgebarba) February 12, 2015
A1 There must be mindset, most every city is creating an ecosystem taking pieces from other ecosystems, but mindset non-existent – #innochat
— Jorge Barba (@jorgebarba) February 12, 2015
You don't need funding to foster open communication and confidence among employees that all voices count. 🙂 #innochat A1
— Lois Martin #121 (@LoisMarketing) February 12, 2015
@mattbrat1 I like that! Yes resources come in a variety of forms including sweat and persuasive support. #innochat
— John W Lewis (@JohnWLewis) February 12, 2015
A1. Encouragement of new ideas, failure being okay, fostering collaboration, culture of trust and support. #innochat
— Jessica (@flipsidethinker) February 12, 2015
A1: Clear expectations and trust are usually a good place to start. #innochat
— Matt Recio (@mattbrat1) February 12, 2015
What is the key component to start with if no other components are present?
As mentioned in the previous question, it all starts with culture. Open communication, trust, collaborative mindset open the door to support systems such as incubators, funding, etc..
A2: If starting from scratch, I would begin with alignment. #innochat
— Matt Recio (@mattbrat1) February 12, 2015
A2 Collaboration and a culture of open communication. #innochat
— Channin Liedtke (@ChanninLiedtke) February 12, 2015
A2 Shared vision for how the ecosystem, culture should be – #innochat
— Jorge Barba (@jorgebarba) February 12, 2015
What cultural characteristics are necessary for an innovation ecosystem to function?
Similar to any organization, an open mind. I can’t tell you how important this is.
A3 also, a shared mindset. – #innochat
— Jorge Barba (@jorgebarba) February 12, 2015
A3 "By definition, a community must replace concept of 'me' with the culture of 'we' to move forward." – @mattbrat1 #innochat
— Jorge Barba (@jorgebarba) February 12, 2015
A3: There must be people involved who are relentless about making things better; who can break from the shackles of status quo. #innochat
— Tony Vengrove (@Tony_Vengrove) February 12, 2015
A3+: In context of a community ecosystem, I see leaders playing the role of conductor for a huge orchestra. #innochat
— Tony Vengrove (@Tony_Vengrove) February 12, 2015
.@sandymaxey @Tony_Vengrove No leadership = no innovation – #innochat
— Jorge Barba (@jorgebarba) February 12, 2015
An innovation culture begins with a positive, forward thinking mindset and values #growthmindset #innochat pic.twitter.com/ZiXWKj3MDx
— Gareth (@Run2explore) February 12, 2015
@LoisMarketing Yes and, it seems to me, a track record of examples of how the ecosystem works for everyone involved. #innochat
— John W Lewis (@JohnWLewis) February 12, 2015
What evidence, individual and/or organizational, will tell us that this culture is developing?
Evidence that an ecosystem is developing is when you don’t think about it anymore; it just happens. Also, there is a shift in identity from “me to we”. Other signs is when you see cross-domain collaboration, such as small companies collaborating with large ones in joint ventures and partnerships.
A4: When ideas evolve to concepts, to designs, to pilots, to production, to testing, to scaling and to MARKET. #innochat
— Panteli Tritchew (@PanteliT) February 12, 2015
A4 @JohnWLewis Yes, breaking out of ones common group is a good sign that a culture is developing. – #innochat
— Jorge Barba (@jorgebarba) February 12, 2015
How can we adjust and improve an innovation ecosystem to increase its effectiveness?
First, ask what works and what doesn’t. Figure out what are the levers that work, push those more and eliminate what doesn’t.
A5 Facilitating new relationships between potential collaborators. #innochat
— John W Lewis (@JohnWLewis) February 12, 2015
A5. When I think of improving an innovation ecosystem I think of @nntaleb and "Antifragile" -that can handle smalle failures. #innochat
— Matt Hunt (@huntm) February 12, 2015
A5: Innovation ecosystems need occasional disruption to ensure biodiversity: new leader, new ideas, new people. #innochat
— Panteli Tritchew (@PanteliT) February 12, 2015
In conclusion, I left the following comment at the end:
.@JohnWLewis I think, letting an ecosystem develop itself vs. shaping it is an important point that needs another discussion! – #innochat
— Jorge Barba (@jorgebarba) February 12, 2015
