Overview
At its core, NewLedge® Research and Assessment is underpinned by some of the most brilliant academic minds in the innovation field. Applying each to the context of Australian SMBs, we have sought out theories that equate to true sustaining value for you and your firm.
The building blocks for NewLedge-Research® lie within our own novel expansion of world-class theories and research from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This includes The Dynamic Capabilities View, Theory of Disruptive Innovation and Jobs-to-be-done Growth Strategies.
Applying These Theories – Where it often goes wrong
Despite the value and wealth of information these theories possess, alongside the tools and methodologies that underpin them, they often struggle to be taught effectively and therefore applied.
Unfortunately, many practitioners who possess the necessary expertise across these areas typically safeguard their knowledge under lock and key. As a result, they often resist the chance to train others, instead focussing their efforts on extracting exorbitant prices from clients. The Theory of the Growth of the Firm by Edith Penrose is a key foundation block for many of the brilliant aforementioned theories – whether they like to admit it or not.
Most business researchers looking to add value at the firm level simply start with the resource-based view of the firm, and some even stop there, believing they have already struck gold.
The Dynamic Capabilities View (DCV)
A backbone of our program, the dynamic capabilities view addresses some of the limitations for a resource-based view of the firm, which is not considered practical in rapidly changing environments; but again, many can fall into the trap of regurgitating old practices in new ways. Erwin Danneels is an exception. Danneels’ work offers a ground-breaking approach to the subject of dynamic capabilities, including extensive studies on manufacturing SMEs and their ability to create new capabilities in rapidly changing environments.
The Theory of Disruptive Innovation
Many of you may be familiar with the Theory of Disruptive Innovation. It was first coined by the late, great Clayton Christensen, the Mick Jagger of the innovation space. The fundamental issue, however, is that the vast majority struggle to actually apply it. Anthony Ulwick is a consultant who, around the same time as Christensen, produced a number of excellent tools that work to plug the gap on the marketing side of the business. Specifically, this work illustrates how companies can pivot from disruptive innovations to differentiation strategies and vice versa.
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
The NewLedge® Program trains you to utilise the best elements of these cutting-edge theories and practices, all delivered in a simple and easy to understand fashion. Previously unexplored within a single module, NewLedge® includes a range of purpose-built tools to allow you to apply what you have learned in gamified, enjoyable and collaborative ways.
NewLedge® is designed to equip with the skills necessary to scare the big players with disruptive innovation. When the timing is right, it will also allow you to collaborate or integrate into their value chain, thereby increasing your competitive outcomes. In essence, this is disruptive to differentiation strategy pivot. We make it cookie-cutter and easy to follow. These are the shoulders that NewLedge® stands upon, builds upon, and come to be completely unique in our own right. So, rest assured, we not only have your back covered but ultimately your best interests at heart.
In order to deliver genuine, digestible content for you, I will remove the smoke and mirrors and draw on my own knowledge, experiences and war stories – battles won and lost. I have worked in, founded, raised capital for – and experienced countless highs & lows in many companies over the course of twenty years in the field. I have been extremely lucky to absorb tactical knowledge from some really unique thinkers and even discovered explicit knowledge that may have otherwise remained unexplored. I feel fortunate that the highs have far outweighed the lows, but fortune has only played a small part in the creation of NewLedge®.
Key Take AWAY
You will soon see that the NewLedge® Framework covers the entire innovation process, with the exception of serendipity. We promise to work extremely hard for you and your company behind the scenes so that you can concentrate on building scalable business. I will leave the serendipitous ‘ohhh yeah moments’ up to you.
