Strategic Innovation Designers: The Entrepreneurs Behind Successful Startups

As a Strategic Innovation Designer, my role is essential in guiding startups and large organizations through the ideation and deployment process. This multifaceted role often overlaps with titles such as 'Strategy Consultant,' 'Innovation Designer,' and 'Strategic Innovation Designer.'

Key Responsibilities and Roles

My job is to ideate and deploy services, products, and sets of desirable outcomes, or even entire new market spaces. This often involves working collaboratively with various teams within an organization, as well as outside consultants and stakeholders.

Typical titles for this role include 'Strategy Consultant,' 'Innovation Designer,' 'Strategic Innovation Designer,' and 'Facilitator.' However, the specific designation can vary widely, with at least a dozen or more names used across different organizations. The underlying responsibilities, however, remain consistent, involving ideation and strategic deployment.

Qualifications and Skills

Success in this role requires a robust combination of skills and qualifications. Firstly, a strong portfolio showcasing previous successful projects is crucial. Secondly, brilliant communication skills are essential, as the stakes are high and the collaboration process can be complex.

It is also vital to work exceptionally well under pressure, with a commitment to inspiring and lifting others to achieve shared goals. This collaborative spirit leads to a culture of innovation and progress, often leading to the need to sign an iron-clad non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

The Role in Business Success

When working with large consultancies, success is shared, but often without personal financial gain. Despite this, the role can be incredibly rewarding for the right individual. The ability to catalyze innovation within organizations, drive the ideation process, and guide teams to successful outcomes is a valuable skill set.

The Misconception: Idea Tossers

A common misconception is that Strategic Innovation Designers are "idea tossers," simply sitting in a room and throwing around ideas. In reality, the process is far more collaborative and complex. Ideas can stem from a variety of sources, including:

Market research to identify gaps in the market Management who have strategic insights and can implement ideas Product development teams who can define and refine concepts Engineers who can turn ideas into technological solutions

Often, it takes a team effort to develop a robust and actionable idea. For example, a market research team might identify a need, product development would work to refine the concept, engineers would develop the technology, and management would take it from there, to prototype, financial analysis, and eventual implementation.

Career Paths and Opportunities

While some choose to work within consultancies and organizations, others might opt for venture capital (VC) roles, where they can leverage their skills to provide the necessary business acumen and funding. Alternatively, mentoring startups, trading for equity, or even embarking on entrepreneurship can be fulfilling career paths.

For those who thrive on the idea generation and execution process, the Strategic Innovation Designer role offers a dynamic and exciting environment. However, it is important to be prepared for the demands of the job, including the potential for limited visibility and the need to maintain confidentiality throughout the ideation and deployment process.

Whether you want to create impactful change in your organization or have a vision for a new market space, becoming a Strategic Innovation Designer can be a rewarding career choice. The ability to drive innovation, inspire teams, and bring ideas to life is a valuable skill set that can make a significant impact in the business world.