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Innovation Strategy Services

10 Jun

What Does a Healthy Innovation Portfolio Look Like?

by Stephanie Creech
in Collaboration Software, Enterprise Innovation, Idea Management Software, Innovation, Innovation Software, Innovation Strategy Services, Open Innovation, Types of Innovation
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] How can organizations ensure they’re investing in the right mix of innovation projects? The answer lies in building a healthy innovation portfolio. A well-structured innovation portfolio helps organizations balance risk and reward, align innovation efforts with strategic goals, and maximize the impact of their investments. By understanding what a healthy innovation portfolio looks like and how to manage it effectively businesses can drive sustainable growth, stay ahead of competitors, and future-proof their operations. With today’s relentless pace of change, fierce global competition, and ever-rising market expectations, the ability to innovate is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity for year-to-year viability. Management knows it, and so does Wall Street: organizations that fail to continually innovate risk falling behind or becoming obsolete. Building and maintaining a healthy innovation portfolio gives companies the agility and resilience needed to thrive, ensuring that today’s investments set the stage for tomorrow’s success.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text] What Is an Innovation Portfolio? [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text] An innovation...

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21 May

What is the Innovation Pipeline?

by Hunter O'Donnell
in Collaboration Software, Idea Management Software, Innovation, Innovation Software, Innovation Strategy Services
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Understanding the Innovation Pipeline: Strategies for Effective Innovation Management and Idea Development [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=""] Why Innovation Matters to Consumers Recent industry research reveals that consumers place a high value on innovation when choosing where to spend their money. In fact, studies—like those from McKinsey—show that the vast majority of customers actively seek out companies that challenge the status quo, offer fresh experiences, and continuously improve their products or services. This desire for innovation signals that people want more than just reliability; they crave creative solutions, unique offerings, and brands that aren’t afraid to think outside the box. In a marketplace filled with choices, being innovative can be a pivotal factor in attracting and retaining loyal customers.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="22px"][vc_column_text] What is the Innovation Pipeline? [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="22px"][vc_column_text]The innovation pipeline is a structured framework that transforms creative ideas into successful, market-ready solutions. By organizing the journey from ideation to commercialization, organizations can efficiently manage innovation and ensure that resources are focused on the...

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29 Apr

Strategic Agility in Uncertain Times

by Robyn Silber
in Enterprise Innovation, Innovation, Innovation Strategy Services
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Essential Mindset for Moving from Static Plans to Dynamic Strategy [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="22px"][vc_column_text] Innovate Your Strategy Process in Uncertain Times [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Political and economic instability, such as the recent tariff increases under the second Trump Administration, has rendered traditional strategic planning less effective. In this volatile environment, the only certainty is uncertainty itself. Forward-thinking organizations are responding by reimagining both their strategies and the processes used to create them, embracing innovation management to stay ahead.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="22px"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Why Innovation Management Matters for Strategic Agility The most effective leaders focus on identifying which uncertainties truly matter and acting accordingly. Instead of relying solely on trend analysis and rigid forecasts, they ask:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=".vc_custom_1745940889543{background-image: url(//ezassi.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/AIPlusHumanExpert3.jpg?id=20683) !important;}"][vc_column][qodef_elements_holder number_of_columns="two-columns"][qodef_elements_holder_item horizontal_aligment="left" vertical_alignment="middle" hover_animation="default"][vc_column_text] What scenarios could plausibly unfold from these uncertainties?   What triggers would signal a shift toward one scenario over another? [/vc_column_text][/qodef_elements_holder_item][/qodef_elements_holder][vc_empty_space height="250px"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This shift from static planning to dynamic scenario management is at the heart of innovation management. By preparing a flexible portfolio of resources...

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16 Apr

Business-Innovation Strategy Alignment

by Matthew Heim
in Idea Management Software, Innovation, Innovation Solutions, Innovation Strategy Services
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Six Steps for Sustained Success [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="22px"][vc_column_text]In today’s highly competitive business landscape, organizations must constantly innovate to stay ahead. However, innovation for the sake of innovation can lead to wasted resources and missed opportunities. To maximize impact and drive sustainable growth, businesses must align their innovation strategy with their overarching business strategy. This strategic alignment ensures that every innovation effort contributes directly to the company’s long-term goals, enhances competitiveness, and delivers tangible business value.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][vc_empty_space height="12px"][vc_single_image image="15049" img_size="full"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"][vc_column_text] Understanding Business and Innovation Strategy [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="22px"][qodef_blockquote text="A business strategy outlines an organization’s long-term vision, market positioning, competitive advantage, and revenue growth plans. It provides a roadmap for decision-making and resource allocation to achieve specific goals." title_tag="h4"][vc_empty_space height="22px"][qodef_blockquote text="An innovation strategy, on the other hand, defines how a company leverages creativity, technology, and new processes to develop unique solutions, products, or services. It involves research and development (R&D), idea management, long-term horizon research, technology...

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07 Apr

Navigate Tariffs

by Huck Auluck
in Chemicals & Materials, CPG Industry, Innovation Strategy Services, Types of Innovation
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Adapting to Tariff Challenges [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="16px"][vc_column_text] Strategic vs. Tactical Innovation: Which Course Are You On?  [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="16px"][vc_column_text]In the dynamic business world, "innovation" is the buzzword everyone throws around. But are we all talking about the same thing? Often, the distinction between strategic and tactical innovation gets blurred, leading to misaligned efforts and missed opportunities. So, let's break it down and clarify these two critical approaches to growth, especially in the context of today's volatile trade landscape.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="16px"][vc_column_text] Strategic Innovation Under Tariff Pressure: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="16px"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]Imagine a chess grandmaster planning their moves several steps ahead. That's strategic innovation in a nutshell. It's about looking beyond the immediate horizon and envisioning entirely new ways to create value. We're talking about reimagining your business model, disrupting existing markets, or even creating entirely new ones. Think of Netflix shifting from DVD rentals to streaming. Or Apple revolutionizing the music industry with the iPod and iTunes. These are...

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02 Apr

The Five Pillars of Innovation-Driven Consortium Management

by Matthew Heim
in Innovation, Innovation Strategy Services, Open Innovation
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Building Collaborative Success Through Innovative Strategic Leadership [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="18px"][vc_column_text]In today’s fast-paced, interconnected world, industries are increasingly relying on consortia- collaborative alliances of organizations working toward common goals. These partnerships are particularly prominent in technology, healthcare, sustainability, and policy-driven sectors. While consortia are often established to address complex challenges, they frequently struggle with bureaucracy, stagnation, and lack of clear impact. To maximize their effectiveness, consortia should be managed as innovation endeavors with clear goals and objectives, rather than traditional administrative structures.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="18px"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Nature of Consortia: Collaboration for Change [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="18px"][vc_column_text]Consortia bring together diverse stakeholders which tend to include private companies, government entities, academic institutions, and nonprofits, to tackle systemic challenges. Their mission often includes developing new standards, frameworks, technologies, or policies that benefit an entire industry. However, because they involve multiple organizations with differing priorities, they can become bogged down in slow decision-making processes and conflicting interests. A consortium can be established either as...

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25 Mar

Navigate Uncertainty

by Ryan Musarra
in Enterprise Innovation, Innovation Strategy Services, Open Innovation, Research Services, Technology Landscape, Technology Scouting
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Turning Tariff Challenges into Opportunity [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="20px"][vc_column_text]Across industries, companies are facing mounting uncertainty driven by tariffs, shifting trade policies, and global supply chain disruptions. These uncertainties are forcing organizations to reallocate resources from long-term innovation to short-term operational pivots. However, businesses that take a proactive approach to overcoming these challenges can emerge stronger and more competitive. The past decade has provided key lessons on how to navigate uncertainty. Between 2017-2021, businesses grappled with shifting tariff policies, reshaping global trade relationships, and the massive supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19. Companies that adapted quickly by diversifying suppliers, investing in digital solutions, and building supply chain resilience fared better than those that reacted too slowly. Learning from these experiences can help organizations prepare for the next wave of uncertainty. At Ezassi, we help companies navigate uncertainty by identifying alternative supply chain solutions, evaluating nearshoring and reshoring opportunities, and uncovering innovation-driven cost-saving strategies. Here’s how companies...

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18 Mar

Procurement Strategy for Supply Chain Agility

by Huck Auluck
in Enterprise Innovation, Innovation Software, Innovation Strategy Services, Open Innovation, Research Services, Technology Scouting
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Ezassi Advantage: Enhancing Supply Chain Agility for Procurement Executives [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="16px"][vc_column_text] Why CPOs and Supply Chain Executives Should Pay Attention [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="16px"][vc_column_text]For Chief Procurement Officers (CPOs), procurement leaders, and supply chain executives, staying ahead of disruptions while driving efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability is more challenging than ever. This is where Ezassi comes in.  Ezassi is a cutting-edge open innovation platform that helps organizations streamline their procurement and supply chain processes through advanced scouting, ideation, and technology discovery. If you’re responsible for procurement strategy and supply chain resilience, here’s why Ezassi should be on your radar: [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="16px"][qodef_separator position="center" color="#f2f2f2" width="100%" thickness="1"][vc_empty_space height="16px"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/6"][vc_single_image image="20148" img_size="" alignment="center"][/vc_column][vc_column width="5/6"][vc_column_text] Harnessing Open Innovation for Competitive Advantage Procurement and supply chain functions are no longer just about cost-cutting, they’re about strategic innovation. Ezassi enables businesses to leverage external networks of innovators, startups, and research institutions to uncover groundbreaking technologies and solutions that drive efficiency and growth.  With Ezassi’s technology...

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11 Mar

Corporate Venture Capital

by Ryan Musarra
in Enterprise Innovation, Innovation Strategy Services, Open Innovation, Technology Scouting
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Hidden Challenges of Corporate Venture Capital [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="12px"][vc_column_text] (And How to Overcome Them) [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="18px"][vc_column_text css=""] How CVC Gives M&A Deals a Running Start One of the most valuable—but often overlooked—benefits of Corporate Venture Capital is how it can bolster the odds of success in future mergers and acquisitions. Consider this: Many startups eye acquisition by a larger company as their ideal “exit,” while corporations are always on the hunt for promising new technologies and growth opportunities. Unfortunately, history is littered with examples of disastrous acquisitions, often blamed on hasty, surface-level due diligence. Remember the high-profile case of GE’s ill-fated turbine buyout, which perfectly illustrated how poor timing and limited insight can spell financial disaster. CVC offers a smarter alternative. By taking a minority stake in a startup rather than jumping straight to a full buyout, corporations gain a low-risk seat at the table. This approach lets them: Build relationships with founders and teams over time ...

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13 Feb

Innovation Resilience

by Matthew Heim
in Innovation, Innovation Strategy Services
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Future-Proof Your Strategy with Targeted Expertise  [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="16px"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/3"][vc_empty_space height="12px"][vc_single_image image="19681" img_size="full"][/vc_column][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]Did you know?  Companies that maintained their focus on innovation during the 2008–2009 financial crisis outperformed the market by more than 30% during the recovery and continued to grow faster in the years that followed (McKinsey & Company). Resilient innovators don’t just survive downturns, they redefine their industries.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="12px"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height="20px"][vc_column_text]In today’s fast-evolving landscape, innovation resilience isn’t about predicting what’s next- it’s about preparing for anything. Global financial shifts, once-a-century pandemics, and rapidly changing policies have proven that only agile, forward-thinking organizations can thrive through uncertainty. At Ezassi, we help companies build that resilience. Our strategic consulting services empower organizations with the tools, insights, and connections needed to withstand market disruptions and emerge stronger.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="12px"][vc_column_text]Let's explore best practices, current trends, and where Ezassi fits as your trusted partner in innovation.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="25px"][qodef_separator position="center" color="#cdcdcd" width="100%" thickness="2"][vc_empty_space height="12px"][vc_column_text] Best Practices for Business Growth in...

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