[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ transparent_background_fb=”default” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ custom_padding=”34.55px|0px|0px|0px”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”17.2667px|0px|65px|0px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.65″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid” custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_padding=”||0px|”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.65″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”17.2667px|0px|0px|0px” background_position_1=”top_left” background_repeat_1=”no-repeat” background_position_2=”top_left” background_repeat_2=”no-repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.65″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n
The innovation consultancy landscape has become immensely complex, dynamic, and varied in the last several years, especially when discussing quantity. There are a variety of methodologies<\/a>, approaches, as well as consultancies of all sizes. McKinsey and large accounting firms have made acquisitions of innovation consulting firms, which means the distinction between the mega-consultancies and the more boutique consultancies has become blurred.<\/p>\n Since the innovation consulting firm atmosphere is so dense, there are some common sense rules of thumb one must use when choosing an innovation consulting\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.0.65″ src=”https:\/\/www.sitsite.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/photo-1534078362425-387ae9668c17.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” sticky=”off” align=”left” always_center_on_mobile=”on” border_style=”solid” force_fullwidth=”on” animation=”off” alt=”dynamic innovation consulting firm” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”1535px” custom_padding=”0px|2px|56px|2px” custom_margin=”0px|2px|2px|2px” padding_top_1=”2px” padding_right_1=”2px” padding_bottom_1=”2px” padding_left_1=”2px” background_position_1=”top_left” background_repeat_1=”no-repeat” _builder_version=”3.0.65″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.65″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n firm.<\/a> Luckily, our good friend, Drew Boyd, created a list of criteria that you can utilize when choosing an innovation consulting firm.\u00a0 However, due to the richness of the current marketplace and the dynamic approach, some of this list is no longer relevant. While this may be the case, it still includes a lot of useful advice. The below advice and tools will help you make an informed and educated decision when choosing an innovation consulting firm.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.65″ use_border_color=”on” border_color=”#000000″ custom_margin=”1px|2px|1px|2px” custom_padding=”10px|10px|3px|10px”]<\/p>\n 1.\u00a0\u00a0TYPE<\/strong>\u00a0of consultant<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0METHOD<\/strong>\u00a0used<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0\u00a0ROLE\u00a0<\/strong>of the consultant.<\/p>\n I<\/strong>NVENTION<\/strong>:\u00a0 These are consultants that help you create new-to-the-world ideas.\u00a0 They have particular expertise in creativity methods or idea generation tools.\u00a0 Their main focus is the generation of many new product or service ideas.<\/p>\n D<\/strong>ESIGN<\/strong>:\u00a0 These are consultants that take an existing product, service, or idea and put some new, innovative form to it.\u00a0 They have particular expertise in industrial design or human factors design.\u00a0 Their main focus is transforming the way a product is used or experienced.<\/p>\n E<\/strong>NGINEERING<\/strong>:\u00a0 These are consultants that help you make the new idea work in practice.\u00a0 They have particular expertise in technology, science, research, and problem-solving.\u00a0 Their main focus is building it.<\/p>\n A<\/strong>CTUALIZATION<\/strong>:\u00a0 These are consultants that help you get the innovation into the marketplace.\u00a0 They have particular expertise in marketing processes, brand, or commercial launch of a product or service.\u00a0 Their main focus is selling it.<\/p>\n Step One: The challenge is many consultants claim to be all of these.\u00a0 While true for some, my sense is that all firms started off as\u00a0one<\/em>\u00a0type and then expanded to cover the others.\u00a0 The question to ask yourself is: would you be better off matching your need to their\u00a0original core expertise<\/em><\/strong>, or would you be better off going to a one-stop shop…a firm that can do it all even though their core expertise is, say, design.\u00a0 How do you know what type the firm really is?\u00a0 Study the biography of their founder.\u00a0 What was the founder’s education, experience, work background, interests, etc?\u00a0 The founder is where the core orientation of the firm begins.\u00a0 The other practice types get bolted on later.<\/p>\n Step Two: Understanding their\u00a0method<\/strong>.\u00a0 The first question I ask consultants is, “Do\u00a0you<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0know how to innovate?”\u00a0 The second question is, “How?”\u00a0 I want to understand their method of innovation, and I want to be able to explain it to other people.\u00a0 I want to know the efficacy.\u00a0 Has it worked in the past and will it work on my project?\u00a0 Show me the data.<\/p>\n Step Three: Understanding the\u00a0role<\/strong>\u00a0of the innovation consultant.\u00a0 Is this a DIY (do-it-yourself) approach, where you are given some software or other resources to create innovation on your own?\u00a0 Is this a DIWY (do-it-with-you) approach where the consultant leads and facilitates groups of your employees to innovate together?\u00a0 Is this a DIFY (do-it-for-you) approach, where the consultant takes your problem specification and comes back with their recommended solutions?\u00a0 Or, is this training?\u00a0 All of these roles are valid depending on your need.<\/p>\n I am impressed with the talent and variety of consultants in the innovation space today.\u00a0 It becomes even more impressive when you select the right one for the job.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding=”||0px|” custom_margin=”||0px|” padding_bottom_1=”0px” background_position_1=”top_left” background_repeat_1=”no-repeat” _builder_version=”3.0.65″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.65″ custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_padding=”||0px|”]<\/p>\n I hope the above will help you in finding the right innovation consultancy. Since we are always on the look-out for the right clients to work with, here is a short questionnaire<\/a>. Please fill in and, if relevant, we can have a short 20-minute chat to see if we can fit each other\u2019s needs. We look forward to hearing from you.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Innovation Consulting Firm Landscape The…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":1262,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" The innovation consultancy landscape has become immensely complex, dynamic, and varied in the last several years, especially when discussing quantity. There are a variety of methodologies, approaches, as well as consultancies of all sizes. McKinsey and large accounting firms have made acquisitions of innovation agencies. This now means the distinction between the mega-consultancies and the more boutique consultancies has become blurred.<\/p> Since the innovation consultancy atmosphere is so dense, there are some common sense, rules of thumb one must use when choosing an innovation consulting firm. Luckily, in 2008, our good friend, Drew Boyd, created a list of information that you can utilize. Although due to the richness of the current marketplace and the dynamic approach, some of this list is no longer relevant. It still includes a lot of useful advice. The below advice and tools will provide you the information that you need to make an informed and educated decision.<\/p> By: Drew Boyd<\/strong><\/p> Choosing an innovation consultant is challenging for two reasons: the client is not always clear what type of innovation they want, or they are not sure what type of innovation a consultant offers.<\/p> Here are three factors to consider when choosing an innovation consultant:\u00a0<\/p> 1.\u00a0\u00a0TYPE<\/strong>\u00a0of consultant<\/p> 2.\u00a0\u00a0METHOD<\/strong>\u00a0used<\/p> 3.\u00a0\u00a0ROLE\u00a0<\/strong>of the consultant.<\/p> I<\/strong>NVENTION<\/strong>:\u00a0 These are consultants that help you create new-to-the-world ideas.\u00a0 They have a particular expertise in creativity methods or idea generation tools.\u00a0 Their main focus is the generation of many new product or service ideas.<\/p> D<\/strong>ESIGN<\/strong>:\u00a0 These are consultants that take an existing product, service, or idea and put some new, innovative form to it.\u00a0 They have a particular expertise in industrial design or human factors design.\u00a0 Their main focus is transforming the way a product is used or experienced.<\/p> E<\/strong>NGINEERING<\/strong>:\u00a0 These are consultants that help you make the new idea work in practice.\u00a0 They have a particular expertise in technology, science, research, and problem-solving.\u00a0 Their main focus is building it.<\/p> A<\/strong>CTUALIZATION<\/strong>:\u00a0 These are consultants that help you get the innovation into the marketplace.\u00a0 They have a particular expertise in marketing processes, brand, or commercial launch of a product or service.\u00a0 Their main focus is selling it.<\/p> Step One: The challenge is many consultants claim to be all of these.\u00a0 While true for some, my sense is that all firms started off as\u00a0one<\/em>\u00a0type and then expanded to cover the others.\u00a0 The question to ask yourself is: would you be better off matching your need to their\u00a0original core expertise<\/em><\/strong>, or would you be better off going to a one-stop shop...a firm that can do it all even though their core expertise is, say, design.\u00a0 How do you know what type the firm really is?\u00a0 Study the biography of their founder.\u00a0 What was the founder's education, experience, work background, interests, etc.\u00a0 The founder is where the core orientation of the firm begins.\u00a0 The other practice types get bolted on later.<\/p> Step Two is understanding their\u00a0method<\/strong>.\u00a0 The first question I ask consultants is, \"Do\u00a0you<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0know how to innovate?\"\u00a0 The second question is, \"How?\"\u00a0 I want to understand their method of innovation, and I want to be able to explain it to other people.\u00a0 I want to know the efficacy.\u00a0 Has it worked in the past and will it work on my project?\u00a0 Show me the data.<\/p> Step Three is understanding the\u00a0role<\/strong>\u00a0of the innovation consultant.\u00a0 Is this a DIY (do-it-yourself) approach, where you are given some software or other resources to create innovation on your own?\u00a0 Is this a DIWY (do-it-with-you) approach where the consultant leads and facilitates groups of your employees to innovate together?\u00a0 Is this a DIFY (do-it-for-you) approach, where the consultant takes your problem specification and comes back with their recommended solutions?\u00a0 Or, is this training?\u00a0 All of these roles are valid depending on your need.<\/p> I am impressed with the talent and variety of the consultants in the innovation space today.\u00a0 It becomes even more impressive when you select the right one for the job.<\/p> Since we are on the look-out for the right clients to work with, here is a small questionnaire (create a link). Please fill in and, if relevant, we can have a short 20-minute chat to see if we can fit each other\u2019s needs.<\/p> However, here are our basic rules of thumb for choosing an innovation consulting firm:<\/p> \u00a0<\/p> *** I am really looking for the right clients to work with, so here is a small questionnaire. Please send and if relvant, we can have a 20-minute chat.<\/p> - Use the document of finding your consultant? How much time\/money\/resources are you planning to invest?<\/p> \u00a0<\/p> \u00a0<\/p> \u00a0<\/p> \u00a0<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n<\/h2>\n
Choosing Innovation Consultants<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n
The innovation space has become so crowded that I group them into four\u00a0types (I-D-E-A)<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n
The Current Innovation Consultancy Landscape<\/h3>
Choosing Innovation Consultants<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>
The innovation space has become so crowded that I group them into four\u00a0types (I-D-E-A)<\/strong>:<\/h3>
What are your motivations to engage with innovation in general?<\/p>