Thinking

Aligning Corporate and Innovation Strategy: Insights from Vivaldi’s Lee Powney in Lima

We were delighted to host the event “Strategic Reinvention: Embracing Radical Innovation for Corporate Growth” in Lima on Thursday, July 11th, with Vivaldi partner Mauricio Andujar as host. The highlight was the captivating presentation by our esteemed guest speaker, Lee Powney, a Senior Partner from Vivaldi’s London office. Find the key points of the discussion and view event photos below.

During the event, Powney emphasized that the best innovators are those who deeply immerse themselves in various aspects of culture, politics, art, history, and philosophy. This holistic engagement, he argued, enables them to stay attuned to the world around them, fostering a sharp instinct that is crucial for innovative thinking. By understanding and appreciating the intricacies of these fields, innovators can draw connections, gain diverse perspectives, and anticipate trends that others might overlook. To be truly innovative, one must be a well-rounded and deeply engaged individual.

Powney highlighted that a significant threat to businesses is the inability to anticipate who their future consumers will be and how their expectations will evolve. To align corporate strategy with innovation strategy, he suggested the following steps:

  1. Define a Role in the World: Envision what unique contribution your business can make to the future that others have not yet considered. Write A big ticket, transformative, unifying statement of intent. What your business can bring to the world that others can’t, won’t, or simply haven’t yet considered.
  2. Radical Optionality and Value Domain Mapping: Define a broad field of play to unlock diverse, demand-based opportunities across sectors and markets, attracting a vibrant ecosystem of third parties.
  3. Ecosystem Strategy: Identify potential partners who can add value to your business through a sequencing exercise.

To spot opportunities, he advised looking at both existing and new markets, exploring new business models, and maintaining an insight orientation. He also emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of innovation dominated by continuous learning.

Regarding innovation models, Powney stressed the need to validate and benchmark ideas to test real-world consumer demand effectively. He mentioned that many people are discussing AI and its implications.

A Pathway to Exponential Growth

Powney concluded by stating that innovators need to be both interested in the world and interesting as individuals, advocating for a future-backed strategy that balances incremental and radical innovation. Redefining your ambition and establishing a ‘role in the world’ allows you to break free from incrementalism and unlock your true growth potential beyond current operational categories. This approach not only opens up new growth opportunities but also fosters a culture of continuous exploration and adaptation. Vivaldi’s proven methodologies and tools equip you to navigate the modern business landscape and achieve long-term, sustainable growth.

To learn even more about our playbook for radical innovation, read Powney’s latest article on LinkedIn.

Speakers

  • Lee Powney
    Senior Partner
    Lee Powney
  • Mauricio Andujar
    Partner
    Mauricio Andujar