How Do I Innovate in a Large Company? Act Like a Speedboat Chained to an Aircraft Carrier!

We often talk to executives from large organizations who say things like:

“Our company/organization wants to think outside the box but we've been successful for years by focusing on our core product. How do we look beyond the boundaries of our current product or service to find new things?”

The key is to avoid drifting too far from what works while staying adaptable. There’s value in sticking to your strengths, but you shouldn’t let them limit your growth. 

If you’re trying to innovate within your existing structure, it can feel like you're moving in slow motion. This is where the parable of the aircraft carrier and the speedboat comes in.

Big organizations are like aircraft carriers…they are stable and capable, but slow to turn. They follow strict processes and are built for endurance, not agility. On the other hand, speedboats are agile, fast, and made for quick turns.

To get faster, more flexible, “speedboat” results, you need different structures and processes from those of an aircraft carrier.

So how do you strike a balance between the two (very different) kinds of sea craft?

Innovation requires a delicate balance between autonomy and relevance:

• Autonomy: The ability to be outside of the box enough to work differently without being held hostage by your historical competencies and products

• Relevance: Being close enough to the box to tap into the strengths of the core business

  
  

We recommend that you stay relevant before becoming autonomous. Start with things closer to home that may feel underwhelming - these can start to prove that you have the muscle to find new success.

Need some help navigating the (often) choppy waters of innovation?

Our experience helping Global 500 companies innovate has given us roles from “Aircraft Carrier Navigators” to “Speedboat Captains” and we’ve learned lots of lessons about new business ventures along the way. We’ve summarized those lessons into the workbook “A Speedboat Chained to an Aircraft Carrier available here! Buy a copy to learn about the seven links in the innovation chain or contact us if you’d like to learn more!