Challenges I Faced While Driving Innovation in Large Organizations

People who know me know that I always emphasize the importance of truly understanding the challenges at hand as a key driver of innovation. It’s something I’m passionate about because, without fully grasping the problem you're solving, it’s nearly impossible to drive meaningful, sustainable change.

Many innovation managers and consultants overlook this crucial aspect. Simply asking business units isn’t enough—people often confuse what they want with what they truly need. They articulate what they believe the solution should be, rather than focusing on the actual problem to solve.

Therefore, when I had a call with Nick Himowicz and he asked me about the biggest challenges in fostering innovation within large organizations, it was a great opportunity to reflect on my experience. Here’s what I shared:

1. Failing to Understand the True Meaning of Innovation – Too often, companies think innovation is simply about generating new ideas, without thinking through how to implement them. There’s also confusion between internal and external innovation processes, or they mistake innovation for just product enhancement.
2. Overlooking the Value of Mentorship and Guidance – Many organizations believe they can figure things out on their own or that a consultant can simply provide a framework and step away. What’s often missing is ongoing support and mentorship throughout the process.
3. Executives Overlooking How Innovation Teams Interact – Innovation teams such as M&A, CVC, and internal units (e.g., venture client) should collaborate, but they often end up stepping on each other’s toes, competing for attention and resources. The symbiosis between these teams is vital. The process of working with a startup, evaluating it, investing, and eventually acquiring it makes sense when done right—but surprisingly, many organizations fail to see this.

At its core, innovation is about improving what you already do by applying new methodologies and approaches outside of your core product. It's about elevating your company to new heights.

However, these challenges won’t disappear on their own. To truly drive innovation, companies must evolve in how they think about and approach it. They need to move beyond just ideation and focus on execution, collaboration, and long-term mentorship. Innovation isn’t a one-time fix—it’s an ongoing journey that requires continuous reflection, adaptation, and the right mindset across all levels of the organization.

For those committed to making real, lasting change, the road ahead is clear: understand the problem before you propose the solution, build strong teams that complement one another, and never underestimate the power of ongoing support. It’s time to stop merely talking about innovation and start making it a meaningful part of your company’s DNA.