Open Innovation has been an integral part of P&G's strategy ever since AG Lafley established the challenge for P&G to find "...50% of its innovation from outside the company." Yet despite the better part of a decade's efforts, and many success stories to date, P&G remains on the steep portion of the learning curve. In order to assist the company in meeting AG Lafley's challenge, External Business Development (EBD) has made Open Innovation its top priority. We are still exploring and experimenting with new models for Open Innovation that will maximize returns for P&G and our partners. In addition to considering different models and approaches, a successful Open Innovation strategy includes having a corporate environment that supports innovation and allows it to flourish. For example, P&G has a long history of Not Invented Here behavior; we joke that we invented the concept. Yet Open Innovation requires that outside ideas be not merely tolerated, but actively sought out. This kind of culture change is a learning journey and needs to be supported from the top down. And even with a receptive culture, a company must have an organizational structure that allows external technologies and innovations to be vetted and explored in a thorough yet timely manner. Ultimately, Open Innovation is a journey, not merely a "one time fix." P&G has consistently learned new lessons and improved its approach every year in order to continue to expand Open Innovation throughout the company successfully.
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