I am pleased to be back in unseasonably freezing cold Israel after more than nine weeks of constant traveling along the global innovation superhighway! I spent my time focusing on learning, making distinctions, developing The Start-Up Game™ business, catching up with long time clients, colleagues, associates and friends and networking profusely. All of my industry and conference presentations were successfully well received, and the signs for successful and flourishing future are clearly positioned on the horizon. What no-one, was aware of, or knew, was that, at the same time, I was also riding out, and trying to surmount my own challenges in surviving the innovation roller-coaster death defying experience. Which involves innovation management to enable you to survive the innovation roller-coaster ride, that exists between an invention & its execution.
What is the chasm that exists between an invention and its execution?
Sometimes labelled the “Valley of Death” involves clarifying the more tangible aspects of innovation, entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship combines with the innovation roller-coaster which involves managing the less tangible and more potentially reactive aspects of entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship. These form the harsh reality and the deep chasm that exists between an invention and its execution, surviving and ultimately mastering it determines ultimate success or failure! Innovation management is required to surmount both the less tangible and more concrete elements of the roller-coaster ride.
What is commercialization and why is it important?
Commercializing an invention or creation is by far the most challenging process an entrepreneur faces; in fact, it is the most critical success factor that to execute.
This involves a myriad of front end innovation management processes including the most difficult first step, which is to clarify the features and benefits of a product, service that has never previously existed or may not have yet been formally developed or validated:
– So do you make it up as you go along, or do you rely on your inner knowing, your intuitive hunches, or on your knowledge, skills and experience to clarify them?
= How do you incorporate lean start-up principles when you check in and research your potential customers, about what they need and want in terms of features and benefits of a product or service that they may have not yet seen, touched or felt?
And whilst this is happening, you have to rely on your self efficacy and courage to keep your fears at bay and stay in the entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship game. To constantly explore how you can generate the cash flow and resources you need to stay alive as well as to develop your new business. As well as to how you can realistically generate income, from a business model that may yet to be initiated whilst focusing at the same time on building your brand, its credibility and presence in the marketplace:
– How do you keep your delivery mechanisms in place, ready to rock and roll, with no real substance other than a projected sales pipeline to keep people and the team engaged and proposed delivery mechanisms in place?
– How can you develop and execute your service and support plan to ensure that you deliver and sustain what you promise whilst riding the peaks, troughs and conflicts of the emotional roller-coaster?
Mastering this myriad of front end innovation management processes is achieved by innovators, entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs staying focused, adaptive and flexible.
This ultimately enables them to creatively, courageously and boldly walk the tightrope between the “Valley of Death” and the innovation roller-coaster.
How to best to enable your talent to survive and flourish!
- Focus on successfully navigating the dangerous rattlesnakes involved in team and potential client interactions, relationships and conflicts.
- Pay attention, be intentional and take responsibility for managing and regulating the challenges involved in mastering the unstable and seemingly insurmountable sand dunes and welcoming oases affecting your emotional reactions and overall state of being.
- Seek collaborative opportunities and support from friends, colleagues, as well as from potential partners, agencies, resources and networks. Also make sure to be optimistic, kind, nurturing and forgiving of yourself as it is often a lonely and singular ride along a road less travelled.
Finally, the greatest and most challenging option is to do nothing at all, to give into your fears and to allow the innovation roller-coaster to flood your emotions with negative thoughts and overwhelming fear, into acute paralysis and to then perish from lack of sustenance in the valley of death!
Our expert innovation coaches can support you to succeed in your innovation roller-coaster ride.
At ImagineNation™ we provide innovation coaching, education and culture consulting to help businesses achieve their innovation goals. Because we have done most of the learning and actioning of new hybrid mindsets, behaviors and skill-sets already, we can help your businesses also do this by opening people up to their innovation potential.
Contact us now at janet@imaginenation.com.au to find out how we can partner with you to learn, adapt and grow your business in the digital age.
