Innovation involves more than technological know-how

The online news and analysis media group, The Conversation, recently highlighted the findings of a report issued by the Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) entitled the Skills and Capabilities for Australian Enterprise Innovation.

ACOLA’s study involved interviews with 19 senior executives in organizations who were identified either because they recently received an innovation award or because they are recognized by their peers as leading innovators in a given business sector. Findings showed that relevant technical skills may in fact be of secondary importance to non-technical skills, such as analytical and critical thinking, problem solving, and social or cultural knowledge, as well as personal abilities like creativity, leadership, communication, and people skills.

The article cites Cochlear Ltd as a company that has understood innovation from the perspective of customers and users of products and services. To continue to grow in an otherwise mature market, the company has given as much attention to marketing and communication as it has to technology research and development. Two years ago, Cochlear Ltd launched a direct to consumer strategy and hired 20 sales representatives solely focused on the consumer.

Source: The Conversation