Why talent management matters in innovation with Gina O'Connor

Innovation Talks

Today's episode explores the critical intersection of talent management and innovation. We delve into how companies can nurture and sustain breakthrough innovation capabilities, particularly through effective talent management strategies. Professor Gina O'Connor unveils some surprising truths about the obstacles and opportunities within large, mature organizations striving to achieve a culture of continuous innovation.

Gina O'Connor brings expertise in innovation management, strategic marketing, and corporate entrepreneurship. As a professor at Babson College, she has spearheaded a research program focused on enabling large, mature companies to engage in breakthrough innovation. O'Connor's role in developing new teaching cases, such as her work with W.L. Gore and her book "Radical: How Mature Firms Can Outsmart Upstarts," has profoundly influenced the field. Delving into how organizations can build ongoing capabilities in innovation, her insights are particularly valuable for those grappling with the responsibilities of managing innovation within established corporation contexts.

"It's not just about the ideas; it's about the people who bring them to life that make innovation thrive." - Gina O'Connor

This week on Innovation Talks:

· Talent management is critical in the seamless execution of innovation, particularly in the discovery, incubation, and acceleration stages.

· Proper innovation management can lead to an organization's sustained competitive advantage through disciplined and actionable insights.

· Managing organizational uncertainty is key in nurturing and leveraging talent effectively within the innovation process.

· Establishing roles within innovation processes, including opportunity people and domain leaders, contributes significantly to successful innovation outcomes.

· An innovation council can orchestrate the strategic innovation function, ensuring alignment across organizational competencies.

· Measuring productivity in innovation requires distinct metrics and evaluation criteria to assess individual and functional performance accurately.

· Ensuring career paths are available for innovators outside traditional management tracks can drive retention and nurture corporate influence.

· Organizations must commit to continuously improving their innovation capabilities and culture to avoid stagnant or regressive practices.

Connect with Gina O'Connor:

· LinkedIn

Resources Mentioned:

- "Radical: How Mature Firms Can Outsmart Upstarts," Co-author by Gina O'Connor

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