Promoting innovation in the company - with technology and culture

Interview: Promoting innovation in the company with technology

In the rapidly changing world, innovation is considered the engine of a company. Only if this functions well can the company move forward, secure its success and competitiveness. But how can innovation be promoted in the company? Our founder and CEO Ishan Don has explained exciting aspects.

Ishan, Switzerland is the Global Innovation Index 2022 World Intellectual Property Organization's Global Innovation Index, Switzerland is the world's most innovative economy for the 12th year in a row - ahead of the United States. Why are the calls for innovation so loud despite this very good result?
Sustainable innovation is not a one-time affair. Digital disruption is permanently taking away the basis of previously successful business models, even of huge corporations, if they have not taken precautions with new developments. Digital photography, which led world market companies such as Kodak into insolvency, and the smartphone, which in turn reduced sales of digital cameras to a minimum, are a well-known illustrative example and only the beginning.

Is there a groundbreaking invention that is particularly topical at the moment?
Cloud computing, for example, has caused a disruption in the IT industry. It influences how software is developed, delivered and implemented. For almost all applications, there are tools from the cloud that are high-performance as well as scalable with just a few clicks, are billed according to use and do not need to be maintained, or even require large technical infrastructures, except for a digital end device, a browser and the Internet. As a result, they create new user experiences. Companies that know how to use this technology for their own benefit can automate and accelerate processes, save costs and revolutionize business models with innovations.

Can you outline examples of how cloud technologies promote innovation in the company?
Especially when it comes to data, cloud solutions play to their strengths. For example, they enable simultaneous, transparent and secure editing of files, regardless of where team members are located. This allows people to collaborate efficiently from anywhere in the world. In addition, cloud-based applications and machine learning offer companies the opportunity to bring together a wide variety of data, analyze it in real time, and gain information that can in turn be made available to other systems via interfaces for automatic further processing. One use case is analyzing customer behavior and making purchase recommendations based on this information. Another example is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in support. AI identifies customer concerns and sentiment and supports service staff with information and recommended actions in real time. Countless combinations are possible, so companies can be creative about the added value they want to offer their customers and employees and how they want to positively differentiate themselves from competitors.

The goal is to bring technology into a meaningful context. Isn't that exactly why you founded StackWorks in 2013?
Yes, our mission is to harness the huge potential of the cloud for businesses and institutions, including so that they can foster innovation, specifically that of the Google Cloud.

Why is it the Google Cloud around which StackWorks offers products and services?
We want to help our customers benefit from advanced technologies. On the one hand, Google is a cloud pioneer that provides numerous products for contemporary work and data analysis, thus giving a broad basis to fostering innovation in the company. On the other hand, according to various rankings, Google is one of the most creative and innovative companies in the world. The company's culture of innovation is exemplary and serves as a guiding principle.

With culture, you're addressing an important aspect. What is innovation culture and why is it so important?
Innovation depends on people who like to try things out, even if they don't succeed right away. In order for this to work well, it is important for the corporate culture to have a characteristic that gives impetus to the development of innovations in the company - the innovation culture.

What is part of a corporate culture that promotes innovation?
There are many things. They begin with a strategic focus on a meaningful, motivating mission and continue with appropriate structures, such as team building. If you want to promote innovation in your company, for example, you should pay attention to a diversely composed workforce. Equally important elements are the communication and management of information and the data already discussed. It is important to provide employees with the information and tools they need to do their work, including collaboration, in a secure and easy-to-use manner. It is also essential to select the right employees. This also includes managers. They are challenged to create a work environment that enables innovation and promotes a mindset that focuses on users and customers and on creating value for them. Last but not least, companies should aim for big ideas and, following the principle of lifelong learning, develop them further through constant trial and error. A progressive error culture, for example, plays a role in this.

Your explanation illustrates the complexity of the issue. How can companies implement such a culture alongside their core business?
A culture of innovation does not emerge overnight. Building and evolving it is an ongoing journey. The first step is to understand that innovation is essential for survival in the long term. This is followed by the development of a strategy to promote innovation within the company. A step-by-step approach has proven its worth. External specialists help to ensure that all the necessary aspects are taken into account at the right time and in the right way, so that successes are achieved quickly and serve as motivation for more.

We are happy to be at your side and support you in promoting innovation in your company.