Reverse innovation refers to the strategy of bringing your local innovations which have worked for a local market to the centre to expand and scale for your wider customer base or wider organizational context.
This approach flips the traditional innovation flow, which typically sees products or services to be designed first and then trying to customize and fit for the local market.
Sometimes we are surprised to see, how frugal a local innovation could be which has successfully found its way around the constraints.
However, be aware of obstacles such as regulatory demands, cultural differences, and market misalignment.
Recommendations:
- Foster an organizational-wide culture of innovation and closely monitor what has worked in one part of the organization.
- Support local teams with their innovation efforts.
- Make reverse innovation part of your innovation strategy.
Thinking Space 