Author: Hans Sandkuhl

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Unlock the Anatomy of Layered Innovation

Multi-colored layer cake cut open to reveal the layers, symbolizing the Anatomy of Layered Innovation

‘Innovation’ is a curious word to define: although the Latin root ‘innovare’ simply means to renew or change, it can mean different things to different people depending on context. It is also a complex landscape, full of twists and turns that can either lead to groundbreaking success or a dead-end. Have you ever wondered how to navigate this intricate maze effectively through layered innovation? If so, you’re not alone. Many organizations and individuals struggle with the same question every day, seeking to understand the layers that make up the innovation process.

Fortunately, there are academic frameworks that offer a roadmap for this journey. Among them, the Three Layers of Innovation and Strategic Niche Management stand out for their practicality and depth. Grounded in academic research, these frameworks provide actionable insights that can guide you through the various stages of innovation. 

For instance, consider the humble paperclip. Its design has evolved over the years, moving from a simple bent wire to more ergonomic and aesthetic designs. This evolution is a testament to incremental innovation, which focuses on solving the simple yet persistent problem of keeping papers together. 

By understanding and applying these frameworks, you can turn innovation from a daunting challenge into a structured process, ripe with opportunities for growth and success.

Revisiting the Argentina Wine Innovation Case

In a previous article Breaking Free for Innovation, we explored the transformation of Argentina’s wine industry into a global competitor. The journey was far from straightforward; it required a blend of incremental and radical innovations, particularly in irrigation and soil management. These changes were the result of years of research, experimentation, and strategic planning.

The outcome has been nothing short of remarkable. Argentina has transformed its wine industry into a global powerhouse, exporting high-quality wines that have won numerous international awards. This case serves as a compelling example of how layered innovation can turn a struggling sector into a success story.

Vineyard in Cafayates, Argentina

So, what do we mean by “layered innovation” in this context? Initially, incremental innovations were made in irrigation techniques and soil management. These were small, yet significant changes that improved grape quality. Once these incremental changes were established, they paved the way for more radical innovations. New grape varieties were introduced, and advanced fermentation techniques were employed, leading to a significant shift in the quality and variety of wines produced. Finally, these radical changes set the stage for game-changing innovations, such as entering new global markets and leveraging digital marketing to reach a broader audience.

However, could this transformation have been even more impactful? One area for potential improvement could be in the realm of sustainability. While Argentina has made strides in sustainable farming practices, there’s room for incorporating more eco-friendly technologies and methods. For instance, the use of solar-powered irrigation systems could further reduce the industry’s carbon footprint. Additionally, a focus on biodynamic farming could not only improve soil health but also offer a unique selling proposition in a crowded market.

By revisiting this case, we can see the value of a layered approach to innovation. Incremental changes set the stage for radical shifts, which in turn open the door for game-changing innovations. But even in a success story like Argentina’s, there’s always room for improvement and further innovation.

Unpacking the Three Layers of Innovation

The concept of the Three Layers of Innovation, although not the only of its kind, is a framework that categorizes innovation into three distinct types: incremental, radical, and game-changing. Understanding these layers is crucial for any innovator, as it helps to identify where your idea fits and how to approach its development and implementation.

Incremental Innovation

Incremental innovations are those that focus on small, continuous improvements. These are the types of changes that might not make headlines but are essential for any business or industry’s growth. For instance, consider the transition from wired to wireless earphones. This change didn’t revolutionize the audio industry, but it certainly made life more convenient for millions of people. Companies like Apple and Samsung continually invest in incremental innovations to improve battery life, sound quality, and user interface in their products. Typically, incremental innovation optimizes existing products for current markets and consumers.

Radical Innovation

Radical innovations, on the other hand, involve significant shifts that disrupt existing practices. They often require a change in behavior or the adoption of new skills. The shift from feature phones to smartphones is a prime example. This change didn’t just improve an existing technology; it transformed the way we communicate, work, and entertain ourselves. Radical innovation aims to expand business towards ‘new to company’ markets and consumers. Companies like Uber and Airbnb have also employed radical innovation by disrupting traditional taxi and hotel industries, respectively.

Game-Changing Innovation

Lastly, game-changing or transformational innovations are those that redefine industries altogether. These are the innovations that make us rethink how we’ve been doing things and question whether there’s a better way. It will drive business to develop new products for new markets and consumers. Streaming services like Netflix and Spotify have revolutionized the entertainment industry, making physical media like DVDs and CDs almost obsolete. These platforms leveraged the power of the internet and cloud computing to provide a more convenient and personalized experience for the user.

Adding more layers

Some practitioners work with even more detailed layers. For example, Jim Kalbach’s Clarifying Innovation: Four Zones of Innovation article I came across some time ago, refines radical innovation into ‘breakthrough’ and ‘disruptive’. Breakthrough innovations promise significant improvements in performance compared with existing product. Disruptive innovations address underserved market needs with products that are more convenient to access, easier to use, and cheaper to buy, with a potential change in business model.

Jim Kalbach – “Clarifying Innovation: Four Zones of Innovation”

The Interplay of the Layers

Understanding these layers individually is important, and recognizing how they interact is crucial for a holistic approach to innovation. Incremental innovations often pave the way for more radical changes. For example, improvements in internet speed and reliability set the stage for the rise of streaming services, a game-changing innovation. Similarly, radical innovations can create new opportunities for incremental improvements. The introduction of electric cars, a radical innovation, has led to incremental advancements in battery technology and charging infrastructure.

By unpacking these layers, we can better understand the dynamics of innovation. It allows us to see that innovation isn’t a one-size-fits-all process but a complex interplay of different types of changes that can occur at various levels and in multiple dimensions.

The Role of Strategic Niche Management

Strategic Niche Management (SNM) is a concept that originated from academic research, offering a structured approach in fields such as wind energy, biomass, public transport systems or food production, to navigate the complexities of  introducing and diffusing new sustainable ideas into the market through societal experiments. It serves as a crucial tool for fostering and scaling innovations, especially those that are radical or game-changing in nature.

Identifying the Niche

The first step in SNM is identifying a niche market where the innovation can be tested and refined. This is a critical phase, as choosing the wrong niche can lead to wasted resources and potential failure. For example, electric cars initially targeted a niche market of environmentally conscious consumers. This specific focus allowed manufacturers to gather valuable feedback without the risks associated with a broader market launch.

Experimentation and Learning

Once the niche is identified, the next step is experimentation. This involves introducing the innovation to the niche market and learning from the results. The aim is to understand how the market responds, what adjustments are needed, and how the innovation can be improved. Companies like Tesla used this phase to perfect their electric car technology, making necessary adjustments based on customer feedback and real-world performance data.

Scaling the Innovation

After successful experimentation and learning, the focus shifts to scaling the innovation. This is where SNM becomes particularly valuable. It provides a roadmap for taking a product from a niche market to a broader audience, reducing the risks associated with mass production and market introduction. For instance, electric cars have now moved beyond the niche of environmentally conscious consumers and are becoming increasingly popular among the general public. This scaling was made possible through strategic planning and the iterative process of SNM.

Potential Pitfalls and Mitigation Strategies

However, SNM is not without its challenges. One of the potential pitfalls is becoming too focused on the niche market, which can limit the innovation’s broader applicability. To mitigate this, it’s essential to continually assess the market dynamics and be willing to pivot or adjust the strategy as needed. Companies that successfully employ SNM are those that remain flexible and responsive to market changes.

By understanding and applying the principles of Strategic Niche Management, innovators can significantly increase the likelihood of their product’s success. It offers a structured approach that guides the innovation from its infancy in a niche market to its maturity in a broader context, thereby maximizing its potential impact.

Conclusion

Understanding the layers of innovation and employing strategic niche management tools can offer a competitive edge in today’s fast-paced world. The Argentina wine case serves as a practical guide, showcasing how a layered approach to innovation can transform an entire industry. If Argentina’s wine producers would had remained stagnant, focusing only on traditional methods, they would have missed the opportunity to become a global wine powerhouse. By embracing innovation at all levels—incremental, radical, and game-changing—the country has set a precedent that others can follow.

But what does this mean for you? Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a business leader, or someone interested in the mechanics of change, these frameworks offer a roadmap. They help you identify where your innovation fits and guide you through its development and scaling. The key takeaway is that innovation is not a linear process but a complex interplay of different layers and strategies.

So, the next time you find yourself at a crossroads in your innovation journey, remember these frameworks. They could be the roadmap you need to navigate the complex terrain of innovation successfully. And always be open to learning and adapting, as even the most successful innovations have room for improvement.

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Breaking Free for Innovation

Old wooden wheel leaning against a stone wall, symbolizing the concept of reinventing the wheel in the context of diverse innovation.

After my recent exploration into the pivotal role of culture in sustainable innovation, I believe it’s time for me to dig deeper into the concept of ‘breaking free’. Let’s turn our attention to another layer that’s equally crucial for diverse innovation: human behavior, specifically focusing on echo chambers and recognition bias. How can diverse perspectives enrich your approach to innovation? And why is it so essential to break free from your echo chambers?

The Danger of Echo Chambers and the Value of Diverse Perspectives

An ‘echo chamber’ is a term used to describe a situation where certain ideas, beliefs, or data points are amplified or reinforced by repetition inside a defined system, often excluding or ignoring any opposing points of view. This becomes particularly problematic when project teams or executives believe that their ‘Why’ or rather ‘What’ is the only perspective that matters, sidelining other valuable viewpoints. This narrow focus can create a self-reinforcing cycle that stifles innovation and inclusivity.

Recognition bias, on the other hand, is the tendency to favor information that confirms our existing beliefs. Both echo chambers and recognition bias can be significant roadblocks in strategy and transformation, where a broader understanding is paramount.

So, what’s the solution? Harnessing the power of diverse perspectives can align your project goals with broader, more inclusive objectives. By actively seeking out and integrating different viewpoints, you not only challenge these cognitive traps but also pave the way for more innovative solutions that serve a wider range of needs.

From Echo Chambers to Aligned Goals

In my experience, stakeholder mapping is a cornerstone in service design. It helps you understand the different interests and viewpoints involved in a project. Breaking out of an echo chamber allows you to incorporate these diverse perspectives, making your projects more holistic and aligned. Research can serve as a unifying force, offering empirical evidence that can help reconcile conflicting interests and guide the project toward a common goal.

Building a Strong Business Case Through Quality Data

Think of a strong business case as a well-crafted “service blueprint.” It details each element contributing to the service experience, from front-end interactions to back-end processes. Jeff Gothelf’s “What should be included in a business case” insights are useful for what should be considered for a strong business case. According to him, quality data is not just a nice-to-have; it’s the backbone of a compelling business case.

The ‘Why’ Behind Quality Data: The Compass for Your Innovation Journey

Simon Sinek’s “Why, How, What” model isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s a foundational framework that can guide you in gathering quality data. In the realm of service design, this is often referred to as “user research.” The ‘Why’ serves as your North Star, guiding you through overwhelming data and metrics. It helps you focus on the human element, the real people who are impacted by the problems you’re trying to solve. Understanding your ‘Why’ can also help you identify and overcome biases like echo chambers and recognition bias.

Why is ‘Why’ So Important?

Understanding your ‘Why’ is like having a compass in an unfamiliar forest. Without it, you might collect a lot of data, but you’ll be walking in circles. Knowing your ‘Why’ helps you ask pivotal questions such as, “What problem are we actually solving?” and “Why is this problem worth solving?” These questions ensure that the data you collect is not just abundant but also meaningful and actionable.

A Real-World Analogy

Imagine you’re a chef in a restaurant. Your customers are complaining about the waiting time. You could jump straight into solutions—maybe you think you need to cook faster, or perhaps you consider hiring more staff. But if you understand the ‘Why’—if you dig deeper into customer feedback and emotions—you might discover that the issue isn’t the speed of service. It’s that customers are looking for an engaging experience to make their wait feel shorter. Knowing this ‘Why’ could lead you to solutions like an interactive menu or a tasting experience that keeps customers engaged while they wait.

By focusing on the ‘Why,’ you’ve not only solved the problem but also enriched your customer’s experience. You’ve gathered data that is directly tied to customer satisfaction, which is a far more valuable metric than simply “speed of service.”

Aligning with Vision and Mission

More importantly, understanding your ‘Why’ can serve as a catalyst for breaking free from biases and echo chambers. It encourages you to seek diverse perspectives and challenge existing norms, thereby fostering a convergence of goals among stakeholders. When everyone understands the ‘Why,’ it becomes easier to align on the ‘How’ and the ‘What,’ making your projects more holistic and impactful.

Additionally, the ‘Why’ should be in harmony with a company’s Vision and Mission Statement. These statements serve as the organization’s North Star, guiding its actions and decisions. When your project’s ‘Why’ aligns with these foundational elements, you create a cohesive narrative that resonates with both internal and external stakeholders. This alignment is crucial for breaking free from the limitations of echo chambers and recognition bias, allowing for a more inclusive and innovative approach.

So, the next time you find yourself lost in data or metrics, take a step back and ask yourself ‘Why.’ It will not only point you in the right direction but also ensure that the steps you take are grounded in purpose and meaningful impact.

Metrics that Matter: The ‘Why’ in Numbers

In projects, we often discuss “Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)” or other convenient yet sometimes hard-to-measure key metrics to track success. However, shifting your focus to problem-solving metrics, rather than only operational metrics, can offer a more refined understanding of success. This aligns well with the ‘Why’ and can be a compelling argument for stakeholders who are hesitant to invest in qualitative specifications.

For instance, if you’re working on a sustainability project, instead of just tracking the amount of waste reduced, you could agree to measure the “Quality of Life Index” in the community affected by the project. This metric could include factors like air and water quality, community engagement, and health improvements. It goes beyond the operational metric of waste reduction to address the ‘Why’—which in this case is enhancing the well-being of the community.

Or, let’s say you’re working on a digital transformation project. Instead of merely tracking the number of processes automated, you could measure “Employee Satisfaction” and “Customer Experience Scores.” These metrics get to the heart of ‘Why’ the project was initiated: to make life easier for your team and to better serve your customers.

By focusing on problem-solving metrics that align with your ‘Why,’ you not only measure success but also capture the deeper impact of your work.

A Real-World Use Case: The ‘Why’ in Action

Breaking the Echo Chamber in Argentina’s Wine Industry

Earlier this year, I found myself in Argentina for both personal and professional reasons. The experience was so enriching that I couldn’t help but delve into one of the country’s most celebrated industries—wine.

In an industry steeped in tradition and often resistant to change, how do you break free from the echo chamber and recognition bias? Let’s uncork the story of Argentina’s wine industry, a fascinating and extensive case study that not only caught my attention during my travels but also illustrates the transformative power of innovation and the importance of challenging established norms

Source: Knowledge and Innovation Analysis in the Wine Industry in Argentina

Argentinian wines on display: A testament to innovation in an industry steeped in tradition.

The Pioneers: Susana Balbo and Nicolás Catena

Two figures stand out in Argentina’s wine innovation journey: Susana Balbo and Nicolás Catena. Balbo, known for her obsession with quality, took a daring step by using enzymes for apples on grapes—a practice unheard of at the time. The result? Her wine was chosen for the first class of Pan American airlines, a clear sign of international recognition.

Nicolás Catena, on the other hand, brought a scientific approach to winemaking. He introduced the Californian-French vinification style and discovered the potential of high-altitude Malbec wine. His experimental approach took nearly 16 years to bear fruit, but the results were revolutionary.

The Echo Chamber

In both cases, these innovators had to confront an industry echo chamber that was resistant to change. Traditional winemaking methods were deeply ingrained, and there was a strong recognition bias towards established practices. The industry was caught in a loop, reinforcing the same ideas and resisting external influences.

The Breakthrough

What set Balbo and Catena apart was their willingness to challenge the status quo and venture outside the echo chamber. They sought knowledge from diverse sources, be it enzymes used in a completely different industry or vinification styles from other countries. This is a classic example of breaking recognition bias by valuing and integrating external knowledge.

The Ripple Effect

Their innovations didn’t just benefit their own vineyards; they had a ripple effect across the industry. Balbo’s colleagues from Mendoza were impressed with the quality of white wines they were producing in Cafayate and started to emulate her practices. Catena’s research led to the introduction of drip irrigation, a key development that allowed the expansion of vineyards to new areas.

The ‘Why’ Behind the Breakthrough: A Deeper Dive into Motivation

While the ‘How’ provides the roadmap, the ‘Why’ serves as the fuel for the journey. What drove Balbo and Catena to challenge the status quo in an industry steeped in tradition?

  1. Passion for Quality: For Susana Balbo, the ‘Why’ was her unyielding passion for quality. She wasn’t content with just making good wine; she aimed for excellence. This passion led her to explore unconventional methods, like using enzymes for apples on grapes, to achieve a superior product.
  2. Scientific Curiosity: Nicolás Catena was driven by a scientific curiosity to understand the full potential of Argentina’s terroir. He wanted to elevate Argentine wine to be on par with the best in the world. This curiosity led him to experiment with high-altitude Malbec wine and introduce new vinification styles.
  3. Legacy and Impact: Both pioneers were motivated by a desire to leave a lasting impact on the Argentine wine industry. They wanted to be remembered as innovators who broke the mold, not just as winemakers.
  4. Global Recognition: The aspiration for international acclaim was another ‘Why’ that drove them. Balbo’s wine being chosen for the first class of Pan American airlines and Catena’s wines receiving global awards were not just validations but also fulfilled their desire for global recognition.
  5. Breaking the Cycle: At a deeper level, both were driven by a desire to break free from the echo chambers and biases that had long held the industry back. They wanted to prove that innovation and quality could coexist with tradition.
  6. Societal Contribution: Lastly, their innovations had a ripple effect that went beyond their own vineyards. By elevating the standard of Argentine wine, they contributed to the country’s economy and put Argentina on the global wine map.

Understanding these ‘Whys’ offers a more nuanced view of the motivations that fueled their innovative approaches. It serves as a lesson that the ‘Why’ is not just a single reason but a complex interplay of personal, professional, and societal factors.

The Takeaway

Reading the original study was not only enlightening but also deeply personal for me. It brought me a little closer to my family roots, and ignited a newfound passion for understanding the intricacies of innovation in traditional industries.

The Argentine wine industry’s transformation serves as a compelling real-world example of how understanding the ‘Why’ can incentive groundbreaking innovations. This case illustrates the power of questioning established norms, being open to diverse perspectives, and having the courage to take the road less traveled.

So, what’s the ‘Why’ driving your organization or project? Are there echo chambers or biases limiting your team’s creativity? Could a deeper understanding of your ‘Why’ help you integrate unrecognized external knowledge to foster innovation?

By actively seeking to break free from these cognitive traps and aligning with your deeper motivations, you not only enrich your own understanding but also pave the way for transformative changes that can redefine an entire industry.

Conclusion

From breaking free of echo chambers to using the transformative power of understanding your ‘Why,’ I offers a layered exploration of sustainable innovation. We’ve examined how diverse perspectives and quality data can enrich your approach to strategy, and lead to more impactful outcomes.

As you reflect on your own projects and initiatives, consider this: Are you clear on your ‘Why’? How does it align with your organization’s vision and mission? Understanding and aligning with your deeper motivations can serve as a powerful catalyst for breaking free from cognitive biases and echo chambers.

By doing so, you not only enrich your own understanding but also pave the way for transformative changes that can redefine an entire industry, just as we saw in the Argentine wine industry.

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The Intersection of Culture and Sustainable Innovation

Introduction

In an increasingly interconnected world, the quest for sustainability often transcends borders. However, what often gets overlooked is the role of culture in shaping and accepting sustainable solutions. How can organizations navigate this complex landscape to create truly impactful, purpose-driven innovations? This article delves into the intersection of culture and sustainable innovation, offering actionable insights for businesses and NGOs alike.

Cultural Sensitivity in Design Thinking

The Importance of Context

Design thinking is a human-centered approach that thrives on empathy and understanding. But how well can we understand a user if we don’t take into account their cultural background? Cultural sensitivity enriches the design thinking process by adding another layer of context, making solutions more relatable and effective.

Actionable Insight: Conduct a Cultural Audit

Before diving into problem-solving, conduct a cultural audit to understand the norms, values, and behaviors of the target community. This will inform every stage of your design thinking process, from ideation to prototyping. It involves gathering data through methods like surveys and interviews, identifying key cultural indicators, and then using these insights to inform your strategy. This ensures that your initiatives are not just effective but also culturally sensitive.

Global Trends vs Local Needs

The Balancing Act

While sustainability is a universal aim, the journey to achieve it often varies from place to place. Organizations frequently encounter the complex task of merging global sustainability trends with local needs and preferences. This is because what works in one region may not necessarily be effective in another due to cultural, economic, or environmental differences.

For instance, a global fast-food chain aiming to reduce plastic waste might introduce reusable containers in a Western market successfully. However, in a developing country where the focus might be more on food security rather than waste management, the same initiative could fall flat.

Therefore, it’s crucial for organizations to tailor their sustainability strategies to fit the local context, ensuring not just global impact but also local relevance.

Actionable Insight: Engage Local Stakeholders

Engaging local stakeholders in the decision-making process is a crucial step for the success of any sustainability initiative. These stakeholders could be community leaders, local experts, or even everyday consumers who are directly impacted by your project. Their unique perspectives offer invaluable context that you might not get from external research alone. For example, they can help identify local customs or preferences that could either aid or hinder the adoption of your sustainable solution.

By involving them early on, you not only gain their trust but also create a sense of shared ownership. This collaborative approach increases the likelihood that your sustainability initiatives will be both effective and widely accepted.

Case Studies: Lessons from the Field

Success Story: Unilever’s Lifebuoy in India

Context: Unilever aimed to tackle the issue of poor hygiene in rural India through its Lifebuoy soap, which is an affordable and effective way to prevent diseases.

Approach: Understanding the cultural significance of religious rituals in India, Unilever launched the “Help a Child Reach 5” campaign. The campaign was kicked off in Thesgora, a village with one of the highest rates of diarrhoea, and focused on the importance of handwashing at key times, like before eating or after visiting the toilet. The campaign was tied to religious and cultural rituals, making it culturally sensitive and effective.

Outcome: The campaign was a huge success, not just in terms of sales but also in genuinely reducing cases of diarrhoea and other diseases related to poor hygiene.

Actionable Insight: Align with Cultural Practices

When your product or service aligns with deeply ingrained cultural practices, it stands a better chance of being accepted and making a meaningful impact. Unilever didn’t just market the soap as a hygiene product; they tied it to local customs and religious rituals, emphasizing handwashing as a sacred act that can save lives. By doing so, they tapped into cultural values that go beyond mere utility, making the product not just useful but also culturally meaningful. This alignment led to greater acceptance and impact, proving that understanding local culture can be a game-changer.

Reference: https://www.lifebuoy.com/ca/en/mission/help-a-child-reach-5.html

Cautionary Tale: Tesla in China

Context: Tesla entered the Chinese market with much fanfare but faced several challenges, including cultural ones.

Approach: Tesla’s direct-to-customer sales model, which worked well in the United States, did not resonate with Chinese consumers who value the experience of a traditional car dealership. Furthermore, the individualistic branding did not resonate in a culture that places a high value on community and collective well-being.

Outcome: Tesla initially saw disappointing sales and had to adjust its approach, including a more traditional retail presence and features catering to local tastes, like a “Chinese New Year” mode.

Actionable Insight: Adapt Your Business Model

Sometimes the challenge isn’t just about the car itself but how you bring it to the market. Tesla learned this the hard way in China. While their direct-to-customer model was a hit in the U.S., it didn’t resonate in China where customers value the traditional dealership experience. Tesla had to adapt not just the product features but their entire business model, including setting up showrooms and offering a more personalized retail experience. This shift shows that understanding and adapting to local cultural norms can be as crucial as the product itself.

Reference: Analysis of Tesla’s Business Strategy in China – ResearchGate

Thought-Provoking Questions

  • How can cultural understanding amplify the impact of your sustainability efforts?
  • What role does culture play in the acceptance and success of sustainable products or services?
  • Are there ethical considerations when implementing sustainable solutions across diverse cultures?

Conclusion

Culture isn’t a side note; it’s at the core of any successful sustainable innovation strategy. Ignoring it can lead to missed opportunities or even failure, while embracing it can open doors to deeper impact and wider acceptance. By weaving cultural insights into your design thinking process and actively involving local stakeholders, you’re not just ticking off a sustainability checklist; you’re building solutions that resonate on a cultural level.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Cultural Audit: Before diving into a new project, consider conducting a cultural audit to understand the local values, beliefs, and behaviors.
  2. Local Stakeholder Engagement: Involve local experts and community members in the decision-making process. Their insights can be invaluable.
  3. Adapt and Evolve: Be prepared to adapt not just your product but potentially your entire business model to align with local cultural norms.

Actionable Steps:

  1. Research: Start with a deep dive into the cultural aspects of the community or market you’re targeting.
  2. Collaborate: Build partnerships with local organizations or leaders who can offer nuanced insights.
  3. Test and Iterate: Before fully launching, test your solution in a smaller segment of your target market to gather feedback for refinement.

By taking these steps, you’re not just creating a sustainable solution; you’re crafting an initiative that’s culturally attuned, thereby increasing its potential for success and impact.

png image from pngtree.com/

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Innovate for Social Good

Danone will become the first listed company to adopt the French legal framework of “entreprise à mission.”

All acts of entrepreneurship start with the vision of an attractive opportunity. Social Entrepreneurship is a uniting concept, that is capable of demonstrating the usefulness of business principles to achieve social goals. Trend or Buzz?

When companies use social entrepreneurship as a process as defined by Shane and Venkataraman, 2000 including:

  • The identification of a specific social problem and a specific solution (or set of solutions) to address it.
  • The evaluation of the social impact, the business model and the sustainability of the venture.
  • The creation of a social mission-oriented for-profit or a business-oriented nonprofit entity that pursues the double (or triple) bottom line. 

we can have people, ventures and activities that innovate for social good.

Read the full article on Danone to pioneer Entreprise à Mission model as CEO takes pay cut.

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Design Decision Or Constraint?

Some have claimed that any and every decision, from what to eat for lunch to what business model to use to the decision to go to war, is a design decision. This is patently untrue.

In the world of design practices, I couldn’t agree more with Dan Saffer’s article What is a Design Decision? To call everything a design decision is as diminishing and misleading as calling everything User Experience.

By his words, it simply discounts other types of decision making practiced by other professionals. For different professionals, different methodologies and criteria apply for what constitutes a good solution.

Design when used with good intentions, should lead to great decisions for usable and useful solutions, as well as elegant execution.

Read the full article on What is a Design Decision?