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In the module, we will review:
- Why internal and external resources are important
- Why you need a plan to manage internal and external resources
- Main uses of internal and external resources
- Generally accepted good practices
Why is Internal and External Resource Management important?
As outlined in the foundational module on resource management (Module 10 in Section 1), innovation has always required those with different skills and expertise to come together and create. In some ways, it can be said that innovation resources and IP partnerships combine to make a single process. Today, globalization ensures expertise exists in every corner of the world; no longer is it easy and cost effective to put the necessary people together in a room. Social software has become a popular way to bring together diverse opinions, while allowing many more people to share ideas and innovate together.
One concept that is gaining popularity is Open Innovation. Open Innovation is about combining internal and external resources and then acting on the opportunities this creates. More and more companies prove that Open Innovation can be a strong value proposition. Growing companies cannot afford to lose out on the opportunities created by this combination.
While it is disappointing to lose out on opportunities, it is inexcusable to lose out to competitors from doing nothing. Open innovation creates long term advantages in management or organizational innovation, rather than just product or service innovation. It can take several years for an organization to reap the full benefits of open innovation but once a company gets ahead of their competitors, they see a longer term advantage. It is hard for competitors to copy and thus neutralize the benefits that open innovation leadership can bring.
The five essential elements of collaborative innovation networks are as follows:
- Evolve from learning networks
- Feature sound ethical principles
- Based on trust and self-organization
- Make knowledge accessible to everyone
- Operate in internal honesty and transparency
Significant benefits for innovation professionals and companies can accrue from supporting the innovation process with a resource management and sound IP process:
- Find more ideas – and at a higher level of quality – by expanding your innovation pool.
- Increase the visibility of ideas to allow contributors with different skills and knowledge to identify and improve the best ideas.
- Manage a complex innovation portfolio with sound governance.
- Develop a cost effective IP and partnership management strategy by leveraging existing IP for competitive advantage.