Structuring innovation within a group

I was listening to a podcast interview with Rosabeth Moss Kanter, who is the Ernest L. Arbuckle Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. One of the ideas that were discussed, was that of the Innovation Pyramid. I believe that this strategy has broad applicability, not only can it help structure innovation at the enterprise level but also within a group or a division. Here is what she had to say about this innovation strategy.

"The innovation pyramid is an innovation strategy that works at three levels. The lion's share of the investment underwrites a few big bets at the top: clear directions for the future. The second level is a portfolio of promising mid-range ideas driven by designated teams. At the bottom of the pyramid are early-stage ideas or incremental innovations that permit continuous improvement.

Influence flows from top to bottom—the big bets encourage smaller wins heading in the same direction. But success can also flow from the bottom to the top—3M's Post-it Notes is one such example.

Senior managers can use the innovation pyramid to gauge current efforts, recalibrate as ideas prove their value, and ensure there is activity at all levels."