BostonBlog

Bill is talking with Larry Huston from Procter & Gamble about the company's "connect and develop" strategy for innovation. P&G is a consumer products behemoth, with a very well developed R&D function. But P&G has also recognized that most world-class innovators don't work for the company, so they have created networks with innovators around the world.

The case study of Pringles Prints is an example of how "connect and develop" works. P&G shares an innovation brief with its networks looking for a technology that can print directly on to Pringles chips. The brief works its way through the networks to a professor in Italy who has created technologies that makes this food-based printing process possible. This is a new form of innovation that is open and collaborative, a significant departure from the traditional R&D approach.

Your association can succeed with this same kind of approach by building innovation networks with individuals, associations, companies and other contributors, reaching out around your community, the country and the world for new ideas. No association needs to go about the work of innovation alone.