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The Other Side of Innovation

by Vijay Govindarajan & Chris Trimble · 2010

In a nutshell

Book by Vijay Govindarajan and Chris Trimble focused on the challenge of executing innovation inside organizations—how to structure teams, processes, and metrics so new initiatives can thrive alongside the core business, useful for founders growing from startup experimentation to repeatable execution.

The Other Side of Innovation

Type: Book
Authors: Vijay Govindarajan, Chris Trimble
Publisher / Brand: Harvard Business Review Press
Category: Disruption & Innovation
Tags: innovation, execution, frameworks

Overview

“The Other Side of Innovation” examines how to execute innovation inside established organizations. It focuses on how to design teams, processes, and metrics so new initiatives can thrive without being crushed by, or undermining, the core business. It is especially relevant for founders and leaders transitioning from early experimentation to building repeatable, scalable execution.

Features

  • Execution-focused approach to innovation – Concentrates on the challenge of doing innovation inside operating organizations, not just generating ideas.
  • Team structure guidance – Explains how to structure innovation teams so they can operate effectively alongside the core business.
  • Process design for new initiatives – Discusses how to design processes tailored for uncertain, innovative work rather than routine operations.
  • Metrics and measurement – Addresses how to create and use metrics that fit early-stage initiatives instead of applying standard performance KPIs too early.
  • Integration with core business – Explores how new initiatives can coexist with, and complement, the existing business rather than conflict with it.
  • Relevance to startup scale-up phase – Useful for founders moving from experimentation and discovery into repeatable, reliable execution in a growing company.

Use Cases

  • Leaders in established companies trying to build new products or ventures.
  • Startup founders transitioning from discovery / MVP to scalable operations.
  • Innovation, strategy, and product leaders designing internal innovation programs.

Pricing

Pricing is not provided in the source content. Refer to retailers or the publisher (Harvard Business Review Press) for current book pricing.

Reference

The Other Side of Innovation — publisher / official page. Summary adapted from the Awesome Startup Books collection.

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