Innovation Happens at the Intersections
Working in isoloated clusters is fine if the world around you is not changing. Bridiging clusters allows everyone to learn and exchange perspectives and ideas. Connections create cross-fertilization and innovation usually follows.
Each node in the network above represents an employee in this research organization. A gray line is drawn between two employees if they exchange knowledge and ideas. Node colors designate departmental membership.
This research lab was the result of several mergers. In all, three companies combined, over time, to create this merged organization. The relationships formed in those 3 companies are still in place -- islands 1, 2 and 3 represent the three former firms. Island 4 are two new hires.
One of our clients, a large consulting firm, was hired by this research organization to help them jumpstart their innovation. After the merger, new products from the lab had slowed to a trickle. After seeing the network map above, lab management was shocked, but not surprised -- old boundaries die hard. The lack of innovation was apparent. Very few intersections, very little innovation.
The intervention taken by the client was very simple -- build bridges between the islands. In addition, a few employees were transferred between islands, bring their network ties with them and helping intersect the islands.
Although this was an easy intervention, it was not a quick solution. Human networks are more difficult to build than computer networks. Computers just require similar protocols and connect and start communicating, while humans require the difficult and messy social dynamic of trust.
This project, like many others follow our two step process:
know the net -- see the map of how things really work
knit the net -- adjust the network for improvementsFollowing this simple mantra of mapping, and then morphing, the network allows change to happen over time.
Awareness before action.