Strategic Innovation Framework

The Game Changer for Irish SMEs: A Framework for Strategic Innovation

What is it?

Strategic Innovation is the creation of growth strategies, new product categories, services or business models that change the game and generate significant new value for consumers, customers and the SME.

What’s the Problem?

Many SMEs want to “become more innovative” but don’t know where to start. While an obvious first thought is to introduce “creativity training”, the effects are usually short-lived. Return on investment is almost impossible to measure and there is little impact on the broad business consciousness. Frequently, the SMEs internal structures, policies and culture inhibit innovation.

Combining the Non-traditional with conventional Strategy Development

The Game Changer framework combines non-traditional, creative approaches to business innovation with conventional strategy development models. It brings together perspectives from a number of complementary disciplines: the non-traditional approaches to innovation found in the business creativity movement; traditional strategy consulting; the new product development perspective of industrial design firms; qualitative consumer/customer research; futures research found in think tanks and traditional scenario planning; and organizational development (OD) practices that examine the effectiveness of an organization’s culture, processes and structures.

The framework consists of a cohesive set of practices that inspire imaginative teams to look beyond the obvious, explore a broad range of possibilities, identify significant opportunities, make informed decisions about the most promising paths to pursue, create a shared vision for growth, define pragmatic action plans that “bridge from the future back to the present” and align the business around the requirements for success.

Strategic Innovation takes the road less traveled – it challenges an organization to look beyond its established business boundaries and mental models and to participate in an open-minded, creative exploration of the realm of possibilities.

The Strategic Innovation Framework (SIF) combines two seemingly paradoxical mindsets: expansive, visionary thinking that imaginatively explores long- term possibilities; and pragmatic, down-to-earth implementation activities that lead to short-term, measurable business impact.

The Seven Dimensions of Strategic Innovation

The strategic Innovation framework weaves together seven dimensions to produce a portfolio of outcomes that drive growth. These dimensions are:

  1. A Managed Innovation Process – Combining Non-Traditional and traditional Approaches to Business Strategy
  2. Strategic Alignment – Building Support
  3. Industry Foresight – Understanding Emerging Trends
  4. Consumer/Customer Insight – Understanding Articulated and Unarticulated Needs
  5. Core Technologies and Competencies – Leveraging and Extending Corporate Assets
  6. Organisational Readiness – The Ability to Take Action
  7. Disciplined Implementation – Managing the Path From Inspiration To Business Impact

What Clients Say

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"Barry’s key trait is his Integrity. To my mind, this is the foundation of any successful business engagement. Barry worked with our Senior Team on Performance Management and our experience was extremely positive. An excellent learning experience that spurred positive change with an equally beneficial return on investment". Gene Browne CEO, The City Bin Co.

"Barry played a significant role in the process of change for the future of our company"
Carol O'Gorman Ex Chairman Town & Country Homes

“Barry’s personality is the key, along with his ability to understand individual needs” Philip Gray, Riverside Arts, Cobh

“Barry opened up the vision of the company and clearly defined the objectives for each specific focus area” Murty O’Donoghue MD Elite Tool

“He has excellent presentation and communication skills, and is well prepared” Flextronics Team Leader

"Barry’s professionalism was excellent” Jamie McCarthy Fisher MD, The Wild Goose Studio

“He has a very good understanding of peoples mindsets and is very approachable to talk to” Flextronics Team Leader

“A man who is passionate about the personal and professional development of the person” Peter Devers, Psychologist, Family Centre, Castlebar

"Your guidance and strategic thinking facilitated and empowered my role as Chairman, My grateful appreciation and thanks for your professional and personal support". Carol O'Gorman, Ex Chairman Town & Country Homes

“Barry is a straight talker and a very focused individual” Paul Cooney Plant Manager Qualceram Shires

“Barry looked at the company from "outside the box" and helped employees to see the broader picture, not just tunnel vision". Murty O'Donoghue MD Elite Tool

"One of the best things about Barry is that he wants to understand what drives us. Some advisors just point out the obvious things, but Barry wanted to find out what made us tick, and then built on that" Rory Casey, Fibrepulse, Castlebar

“The benefits were excellent, we got clarity of focus and purpose” Jamie McCarthy Fisher, MD The Wild Goose Studio

“He makes you feel at ease from the start. He stays calm at all times, fun to work with, he is very experienced in day to day management” Flextronics, Team Leader

“Barry’s approach, enthusiasm & powers of analysis have enabled us in a short space of time to identify & focus on the key issues facing our company; we also have a roadmap showing where we are going and how we are going to get there” Jamie McCarthy Fisher MD, The Wild Goose Studio

“Barry played a pivotal role in assisting the company through his strong commitment to see these changes happen from the contributions of all team members” Paul Cooney Plant Manager Qualceram Shires Arklow

“You will not get bored” Enterprise Ireland Manager