Successfully scaling your innovation strategy: Impulses for company-wide idea development
The challenge of successfully scaling an innovation strategy requires more than one-off projects. It is crucial to unleash ideas company-wide and promote a culture in which creative potential from all areas is utilised. In particular, supporting artificial intelligence (AI) offers valuable opportunities to systematically generate a wide range of ideas and support their implementation throughout the company.
Strengthen innovation strategy through cross-divisional integration
A key element is to get the entire company on board, not just individual departments. Ideas that only emerge in compartmentalised teams often have no real impact. It therefore makes sense to break down existing silos and promote cross-departmental initiatives. This allows different perspectives from production, sales, IT or HR to flow together and new solutions to emerge.
The active participation of employees also creates acceptance and motivates them to contribute their own innovation approaches. The role of external support, as offered in the form of KIROI coaching, is supportive here. It provides impetus, accompanies development and helps to understand and shape the complex interactions of AI applications.
Examples from industry illustrate the diversity of idea development
KIROI BEST PRACTICE at company XYZ (name changed due to NDA contract) In a medium-sized automotive supplier, a large number of AI-based ideas for process optimisation were developed through targeted workshops with employees from development, production and quality management. These ranged from intelligent testing systems to predictive maintenance and clearly demonstrated the added value of cross-departmental collaboration.
KIROI BEST PRACTICE at company XYZ (name changed due to NDA contract) An internal ideas portal was set up in the chemical industry where employees could submit suggestions for AI-supported analyses of laboratory and production data. Over the course of several months, numerous suggestions were collected, which ultimately led to various pilot projects, for example in the optimisation of recipes or energy efficiency.
KIROI BEST PRACTICE at company XYZ (name changed due to NDA contract) In a logistics company, cross-departmental brainstorming led to an AI-based planning tool that not only optimises scheduling and transport, but also increases customer satisfaction with personalised delivery options. The coaching helped to bring together the diverse needs of the departments involved and make them technically feasible.
How an innovation strategy promotes sustainable implementation
To ensure that good ideas not only emerge, but actually have the desired effect, a methodical approach makes sense. This means clearly defining goals, providing communication channels and continuously obtaining feedback. An innovation strategy that actively supports the company-wide exchange of ideas also helps to recognise potential and develop it appropriately.
This is supported by an open feedback culture that invites employees to share their experiences and perspectives. Clients often report that it is precisely this transparency and mutual learning that form the basis for lasting progress. Accordingly, professional support sees itself as a source of inspiration that supports the process without making promises of effectiveness.
Practical examples for scaling innovation approaches
KIROI BEST PRACTICE at company XYZ (name changed due to NDA contract) A mechanical engineering company developed a company-wide platform with support that not only accepts ideas, but also facilitates evaluation and prioritisation by interdisciplinary teams. This structured process enabled proposals for AI-supported production planning to be taken from piloting to implementation.
KIROI BEST PRACTICE at company XYZ (name changed due to NDA contract) In a service company, the development of AI innovations in sales was strengthened through cooperative idea sessions with IT and marketing. The resulting solutions improved both the customer approach and internal processes and made it clear how attractive and scalable ideas can be.
KIROI BEST PRACTICE at company XYZ (name changed due to NDA contract) A company from the consumer goods industry used targeted coaching to establish a lasting culture of ideas. Both technical innovations and new business models were discussed, which were then tested with pilot projects. The company-wide visibility helped to develop the innovation potential on a broad basis.
My analysis
The scaling of an innovation strategy depends on a holistic, communicative and supportive approach. The company-wide development of ideas is a central lever that can be promoted in a targeted manner through expert support, such as KIROI coaching. The focus here is on cooperation between many areas, the provision of suitable methods and the continuous promotion of openness and willingness to learn. In this way, it is possible to generate a wide range of innovations that sustainably advance the company.
Further links from the text above:
[1] KIROI Step 1: Sharing knowledge - the key to successful AI integration
[2] How to strategically organise your idea management in 7 steps - Part 1
[3] Step 7 of the KIROI strategy: Practical examples of ideas for other departments
Deutsch 
English (UK)