Why Innovating in Large Organizations Is Challenging
For large organizations, innovation is essential but becoming increasingly difficult. While some companies, like Amazon, are handling innovation very well, many struggle to apply it consistently without heroic effort. Our SVP of Digital & Innovation, Siddi Wouters, shares how SGS, as a large company, can embrace innovation despite its size.
Once organizations reach a certain size, they need to operate in two different modes, managing opposing forces at the same time. On one side, there is a focus on stability and predictability. The opposite side, however, centers around experimentation, speed and high uncertainty. This situation is complex, requiring a balance between seeking new opportunities and managing existing businesses.
Understanding this helps executives and innovation teams put in place the right investment and management processes, skill sets, and culture needed to explore new ideas fruitfully while still managing current operations.