(in)validate Projects

Large, established organisations often struggle to align traditional operational models with forward-thinking innovation strategies. At expx we helped a large industrial company, a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification, to validate the potential of establishing an ideation software project. This initiative aimed to address challenges related to innovation, employee engagement, and global collaboration.

This case study demonstrates how expx worked with our partner’s innovation department to navigate internal resistance, foster collaboration, and successfully validate a globally scalable platform.

The Challenge

Our partner, despite being one of the world’s largest and most influential companies, faced a significant challenge common to legacy organisations:

• Competing Priorities Across Departments: Our partner operates in highly technical domains, with scientists and engineers focused on improving materials testing and chemical analysis. Introducing a business-model-focused innovation initiative led to resistance from these entrenched technical teams.

• Cultural Resistance to Change: Long-standing employees, accustomed to traditional methods, were sceptical of allocating resources to new business-oriented innovation initiatives.

• Lack of Unified Innovation Efforts: Our partner’s technical teams excelled at research-driven innovation, but the company lacked a cohesive strategy to develop scalable business models from these innovations.

Our Approach

1. Establishing an Innovation Department Partnership

expx initiated the project by partnering with our partner’s newly formed innovation department. This department, set up to explore business-model-driven innovation, became the primary driver of the ideation software initiative. Having a dedicated innovation team provided the necessary structure and support to overcome internal pushback.

2. Aligning Stakeholders and Objectives

The initial challenge was to bridge the gap between our partner’s technical and business teams:

• Technical Teams’ Concerns: Long-standing teams felt that business innovation efforts were encroaching on their budgets and undermining their technical expertise.

• Business Innovation Goals: The innovation department sought to introduce scalable, business-oriented solutions that complemented our partner’s core offerings.

expx facilitated workshops to align stakeholders, emphasising how ideation campaigns could generate ideas that benefitted both technical and business priorities.

3. Validating the Ideation Software

expx developed and validated an ideation platform that empowered our partner’s employees to propose and vote on new ideas. Key features included:

• Gamification Elements: A multiplayer, gamified experience encouraged collaboration across departments.

• Global Accessibility: The platform connected employees worldwide, fostering a sense of inclusion and shared purpose.

• Focus on Business Impact: The software encouraged ideas with potential for scalable business models while respecting our partner’s technical heritage.

4. Managing Resistance

Through strategic facilitation and showcasing early wins, expx helped the innovation department demonstrate the value of the platform to technical teams. By incorporating their feedback, the platform evolved to support both research-driven and business-model innovation.

Results

• Unified Vision for Innovation: The ideation software bridged the gap between our partner's technical and business teams, aligning their efforts towards shared goals.

• Scalable Ideation Campaigns: The platform enabled global ideation initiatives, driving engagement and generating actionable ideas across regions and departments.

• Stronger Innovation Department: The success of the platform validated the need for a dedicated innovation department, securing its position within our partner’s company.

• Enhanced Employee Engagement: Employees appreciated the opportunity to contribute to our partner’s strategic direction, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation - with clear guidelines on how the individual could grow their own career and opportunities internally.

Key Takeaways

1. Innovation Requires Structural Support: A dedicated innovation department is critical for driving change and aligning diverse teams.

2. Bridging Legacy and Innovation: Success lies in integrating new initiatives with existing expertise, rather than replacing them.

3. Employee Involvement Drives Success: Engaging employees through gamified, collaborative platforms fosters alignment and boosts morale.

Is Your Organisation Ready to Validate Its Innovation Projects?

At expx, we specialise in validating and scaling innovation projects. Whether you’re navigating resistance, building a business model, or seeking to engage your employees, our expertise ensures your investments lead to measurable success.

Contact us today to validate or invalidate your next big idea.