Prof. S. Balasubramanian
Director, GRG School of Management Studies, Coimbatore
Which organisation globally inspires you on Innovation and why?
There are a few global organisations which I have been impressed with for their innovative processes and practices. Strangely, these are from the technology sector. These include Google, Amazon.com, Apple, and Nokia. I am impressed with these innovative organisations because of the expectations they create for newer experiences every time they launch a product or service. I am always looking forward to a new feature, process, or application of technology and that expectation is often satisfied by these organisations. I think Apple can today be easily considered the most innovative; it used to be Sony earlier.
What or who in India do you think is a benchmark on Innovation?
I think Tata Nano is a product that comes to mind immediately. The concept is innovative, the design is innovative, the execution is innovative.There are a few other examples from India. The ‘low-cost’ airline conceived and launched by Capt. Gopinath has been, by far, one of the most impactful innovative ideas of the past decade. It changed the skyscape of Indian aviation once and for all. The establishment of the Indian Business School, Hyderabad was an innovation. It changed the mindset of Indians that a typical MBA programme ought to be of two-year duration. Even Makemytrip.com is an innovation for India for the force with which it changed the way people plan and arrange their travel.I am not sure, however, if we can say that we have set any benchmark on innovation as yet. There has not been any earth-shaking or path-breaking innovation like Sony’s Walkman or Apple’s iPod.
Your favourite book on Innovation, if any
One of the books I like is by Vijay Govindarajan and Chris Trimble of Tuck School of Business – “The Other Side of Innovation: Solving the Execution Challenge”.
Any suggestions from you for us at Titan on Innovation
Innovation is a long and tiring journey; easily given up by some. Perseverance and consistency of effort is a must. The Titan Innovation Bazaar was a good start. You need “innovation-champions” within Titan to constantly drive home the message and motivate employees at all levels to innovate.