In the last century the crossing of ideas has produced unexpected changes and inventions in people's lives. IBM used 50s military computer and network technology to create the computerized reservation system, which opened in 1964. The global positioning system (GPS), designed for military intelligence operations during the 1960s Fra war , has evolved into a satellite network with dozens of civil applications for mapping, climate studies, outdoor activities and much more.
Currently, management experts refer to this exchange in which one thing evolves to be used for another purpose in a different market (adjacent innovation). In that sense, there is a concept called transformative innovation, which creates totally new products, services and markets; however, adjacent innovation optimizes existing products or services to capitalize on another market.
The digital transformation It is driving adjacent innovation, using technology to solve new problems. One of the best known modern examples is Uber, which combining geographical location, data analysis and digital payments, creates a new service that reinvents the market. Adjacent innovation is a continuous operation, at one end we have proactive and explicit initiatives where we define a problem and solve it and at the other end of the spectrum, adjacent innovation occurs. But that is not just luck, success is due to developing a new culture and method of work to achieve the results.
It is important that the different teams act together in an interdisciplinary way. Specialists from different markets (retail, health, etc.) together with technical experts from different sectors (eg big data) act together and complement each other. A key tactic that we have recently implemented to drive adjacent innovation is to demonstrate the different products internally. In this way, gathering hundreds of employees at the same time, it is possible to have an integral view of what is happening in the company, which allows to share ideas and see possibilities that otherwise would not be achieved.
In the area of health, patients are effectively consumers of goods and services, even if they are not considered clients in the traditional style. Recognizing this, the CRM platform was adapted, which helps retail companies to manage and analyze their interactions so that it is a platform to manage interactions and relationships with patients. Also included data science of retail systems, to help health companies have a better inventory, according to the needs of patients. This technology is currently used to help hospitals ensure that they have adequate supplies of medicines, bandages and other critical products that patients need, at the right time and in the right place. The goal is to help the health sector more effectively to solve its complex challenges, to achieve a good financial performance and a good quality of care.
To achieve this, there are three factors:
People. We must carefully consider how to achieve the best experience and knowledge in the team. When examining potential candidates, these three attributes are sought: experience in the sector, in the product or in the business area. Additionally, the human factor: is it an intelligent, detailed and talented person who can adapt quickly, learn new things and get involved in the challenge?
Process. It is critical to achieve reliability among individuals and in the organization and at the same time have aligned processes. To succeed, credibility must be achieved between the groups to improve the overall productivity of all processes.
products. It means having clear and tangible goals.
Be it a product, a presentation or an event, the product is the culmination point to achieve something significant. Through these initiatives, we note that physical proximity is not necessary for adjacent innovation. Technology allows transcending time and space, making teams of 20 people and 15 different countries create relationships and achieve greater things. When that kind of magic happens, global companies can compete more effectively in a world that requires major changes at an unprecedented rate.
Guest Columnist: Rubn Belluomo, Commercial Manager of Infor Cono Sur.
. data science (t) innovation (t) digital transformation (t) news (t) articles (t) software (t) technology
