The Innovation Race

If innovation is a race: Who wins? Who loses? Who gets eliminated? – and how is it possible to stay ahead of the game? The Innovation Race takes readers on a lively global adventure to explore the current state of innovation. Along the way best-selling authors Andrew and Gaia Grant search for clues on how to stay ahead in the race and design a more sustainable future. Asking the critical questions - Why do we innovate? Are we at risk of innovating for the sake of innovation? What could we be doing better? - the Grants reflect on whether, if in the race to come up with ‘the next big thing,' we may be losing the purpose behind the process. They then outline how to navigate the key paradoxical challenges that can either frustrate or fuel innovation to change the game. By taking the latest academic research and presenting it in an accessible way, the Grants present a compelling case for forging a new path for the future. The Innovation Race provides concrete strategies to support purpose-driven sustainable innovation through deep cultural transformation. A unique profiling tool reveals current organisation positioning along with potential opportunities and challenges. A practical culture change model then provides clear direction for proactive change. With economists estimating that up to 80 per cent of growth comes from new ideas and innovations, this thought-provoking book provides the strategies and tools to learn how to create an innovation culture for long term success. Identify your own sweet spot for innovative thinking Learn the strategies to transform your organisation Engage and motivate employees toward innovative action Excel in implementing a deep cultural shift The Innovation Race will make you reassess what you assumed you knew about innovation, help boost the innovation process to new levels and bring your organisation to the forefront.

About the authors xv Acknowledgements xvii Preface xix Part I: Preparation for the global reality race 1 Destination: Australia Chapter 1: The Amazing Innovation Race 3 Who wins, who loses, who gets eliminated — and why we need to change the game Chapter 2: Shifting Perspectives 29 The value of diverse perspectives on creative thinking and innovation Chapter 3: Are you a Tourist or Traveller? 51 How cultural awareness can encourage empathy and increase the potential for purpose-driven innovation Chapter 4: Picasso and the Paradoxical Innovation Process 67 Understanding the challenges of innovation journey, from imagination and ideation to implementation Part II: Destinations 91 Chapter 5: Liberate 93 How to liberate a culture for open innovation Destination: Africa Chapter 6: Initiate 139 How to initiate the innovation process through open connections for exploring diverse ideas Destination: Europe Chapter 7: Motivate 183 How to motivate individuals and teams to come up with unified solutions Destination: Asia Chapter 8: Transform 223 How to transform a culture for implementing innovation Destination: The Americas Part III: The future of the race 261 Destination: Antarctica Chapter 9: Pawns and Players 263 Who really wins in the end? Chapter 10: Future Trends 279 The new innovation agenda Notes 297 Index 339