THE CASE: Where Good Ideas Go to Die
Priti is Chief Innovation Officer at a 500-person company. Her innovation lab produces breakthrough ideas: new products, process improvements, market opportunities. But ideas die when they leave the lab. Middle managers say: "Too risky." "Not aligned with this quarter's goals." "We've never done it that way." Innovation becomes a isolated function, not an organizational capability.
McKinsey research shows that 94% of executives say innovation is critical, but only 6% are satisfied with their innovation performance. The problem isn't idea generation—it's the organizational systems that kill ideas before they scale.
The Evidence
94% say innovation is critical (McKinsey)
Only 6% satisfied with innovation performance
70% of innovations fail in scaling phase (BCG)
3X higher success with dedicated innovation time (Google)
The Innovation Scaling Framework
Step 1: Create "Innovation Champions" (30 minutes)
Identify 5-10 mid-level managers who embrace new ideas. Their job: advocate for innovations, remove roadblocks, and connect innovators with resources.
Step 2: Build a Rapid Prototyping System (60 minutes)
Create a fast path from idea to small-scale test: 48-hour approvals for experiments under ₹5 lakh, dedicated budget for quick prototypes, and "fail fast" culture (celebrate learning, not just success).
Step 3: Remove Evaluation Friction (Ongoing)
Traditional business cases kill innovation. Instead: Test first, document later. Use "minimum viable evidence" before requesting full investment. Fund experiments, not business plans.
Step 4: Make Innovation Everyone's Job (Ongoing)
Allocate 10% of time for "passion projects" (Google's 20% time, scaled down). Quarterly innovation challenges open to all employees. Recognition and rewards for innovation attempts, not just successes.
The Experiment: "Shark Tank" Sessions
Monthly sessions where anyone can pitch an idea in 5 minutes to a panel of senior leaders. Top 3 ideas get small funding (₹1-5 lakh) for a 4-week pilot. Focus on learning speed, not perfection. Expected outcome: Ideas surface from unexpected places. Innovation becomes visible and celebrated.
Sources & References
- McKinsey & Company. Innovation Performance Report. 2023.
- Christensen, Clayton M. The Innovator's Dilemma. HBS Press, 1997.
- Ries, Eric. The Lean Startup. Crown Business, 2011.
Key Takeaways
- Ideas die in the scaling phase, not the generation phase
- Innovation Champions in middle management remove roadblocks
- Rapid prototyping systems test ideas before full investment
- Make innovation everyone's job, not just the innovation team's