Introduction

“Restart the flywheel of innovation” -- how does a company get it going if it’s started to stall? You’ll get lots of advice internally. Turnover. Blame. Culture. Product Operating Model. It’s not all broken -- there’s lots of good pieces to work with and good people on your team. What you need is to restart the flywheel moving in the right direction. Usually, that starts with a singular intervention and that’s where the TCGen method can be a huge boost.

How we approach it

At the highest level, we help you assess what’s not working, build buy-in to change, articulate what “better” looks like, and find the first intervention to start building positive momentum. It’s a methodology that requires a breadth of knowledge and relies on our years of experience working with and consulting for Apple, Amazon, McGraw-Hill, Starbucks, McDonalds. Our team, all of whom have served in c-level roles, take an integrative approach.

As important as breadth is, so is depth. You can’t change everything at once and can’t afford to disrupt the programs in-flight. How do you fix the plane while it’s still in air? (Metaphorically, not literally. We haven’t worked with Boeing.) We dub that “inch-wide, mile deep” -- find the most straightforward and practical place to start and implement it well. Bring clarity, focus, and your best people to the fore on improvement for a limited time. Show that it works and then start rolling out.

We’re so confident that we usually end our engagements there. Once you restart the flywheel you have the internal talent to build upon it, and that tiger team you’ve assembled can impact an entire company.

Building upon our work

The key to success is maintaining the momentum. Even after the initial intervention has shown results, it’s crucial to continue nurturing the culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Regular check-ins, feedback loops, and adaptive strategies will help ensure that the flywheel keeps spinning in the right direction.

To foster such a culture, consider the following steps:

1. Establish Clear Metrics: Define what success looks like and establish clear, measurable metrics to track progress. This helps in aligning the team's efforts and provides a tangible way to gauge the impact of changes.
2. Encourage Open Communication: Create an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas and feedback. This openness can lead to innovative solutions and helps in identifying potential issues early.
3. Provide Continuous Learning Opportunities: Invest in the professional development of your team. Workshops, training sessions, and access to relevant resources can keep everyone up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices.
4. Celebrate Small Wins: Recognize and celebrate achievements, no matter how small. This boosts morale and reinforces the value of continuous improvement.
5. Adapt and Iterate: Be prepared to adapt your strategies based on feedback and results. Continuous improvement is an iterative process, and flexibility is key to long-term success.

By embedding these practices into your organizational culture, you can ensure that the flywheel of product innovation not only restarts but continues to accelerate, driving sustained growth and success.