General Mills Adopts New Open Innovation Approach
With its Worldwide Innovation Network (G-WIN) to tap into talent wherever it may be, General Mills is one of the most prominent proponents of open innovation.
But it doesn’t rest on its innovation laurels and continues to look at better ways of using external expertise to move its projects forward more efficiently and effectively.
To these ends it has announced a new method to accelerate the pace of its innovation; a step-by-step approach called the “X3 Process”.
According to the company the X3 Process “facilitates open innovation by helping make connections between unmet technical needs and actionable solutions.”
General Mills has been using open innovation principles for the past five years, but has found that although its scientists are excited by OI tools they don’t always know how to use them in the most effective ways.
So beginning in March last year, a number of brainstorming sessions between scientists, innovators and strategists from General Mills looked at developing a series of best practices. And the result is the X3, a non linear path to success that allows innovators to use only the steps they need to identify they right solutions.
As defined by the General Mills Worldwide Innovation Network, the X3 Process includes the following steps:
Ask the right question/s – gather knowledge internally to gain alignment on your “true” knowledge gaps and technical needs.
Get smart – build and develop new knowledge, including key insights and innovation opportunities.
Ask better questions – immerse your team in new knowledge to generate insights and new hypotheses
Communicate needs – write, refine and finalize well-crafted briefs that clearly explain your needs.
Find smart people – use available tools and networking opportunities to identify potential solution providers.
Make connections – initiate relationships and kick off projects
To find out more about the company’s approach to open innovation, visit GeneralMills.com
Reader Comments
Thanks for your message Kevin; you will need to get in touch with General Mills to find out the answer to your query. All the best, Paul
Posted by Paul A. on March 7, 2012
Paul,
Congratulations on the success of G-WIN. I enjoy reading how the program continues to evolve. Have you replicated this success within General Mills - "internal open innovation"?
Posted by Kevin Mitchell on March 2, 2012
Add your Comment
[LOGIN FIRST] if you're already a member.fields are required.