1. GEMBA WALK STAGE
Across all stages
2. BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Open Innovation is an approach where valuable knowledge and ideas come from both inside and outside the company. Similarly, solutions can be pushed to market using internal or external channels. Open Innovation blurs the boundaries between an organization and its environment, which allows the company to combine resources with external co-operators.
3. HOW TO USE OPEN INNOVATION IN THE GEMBA WALK
Open Innovation provides a process and an environment that not only allow but, also, encourage the organization to regularly perform Gemba Walks together with key partners, suppliers and even clients. This provides a fresh pair of eyes, fosters a collaborative culture and enables the organization to seize previously undiscovered opportunities. It also allows for an exchange of people, where leaders and employees go and perform the Gemba at their partners’ locations, supporting their improvement opportunities and learning from their Gemba processes, as well as their development and operational processes.
4. ROLES AND ACTIVITIES
Leader: Agrees, sets up and supports open innovation activities by organizing external Gemba Walks, attends Gemba Walks at partner’ locations, observes and captures fresh ideas, best practices and opportunities to be deployed internally
Facilitator: Facilitates external Gemba Walk and learns about best practices from Gemba Walks of partnering organizations
Team member: Attends external Gemba Walk, attends Gemba Walks at partner’ locations
5. EXPECTED BENEFITS FOR THE GEMBA WALK
Fosters innovation
­Taps into non-evident and undiscovered improvement opportunities
Builds stronger relationships rooted in trust and respect
Helps increase competitive advantage
Empowers employees to learn and get valuable insights from external sources
6. ORGANIZATIONS THAT APPLY OPEN INNOVATION
Airbus Defence and Space, Bocar Group, CEMEX, Interface, Swisscom and Thermo Fisher Scientific