Outsourcing Design and Innovation

OVERVIEW:Outsourcing product design and innovation to independent designers and inventors can be a means of introducing new-product ideas into an organization and drawing from a larger pool of creative talent. To attract such talent requires establishing a partnership where the designer's interests and benefits are tied to the commercial success of the product. Establishing a culture open to and willing to engage such external parties is essential to the success of such an innovation strategy. Herman Miller has employed such an outsourcing approach for many years, enabling it to develop many innovative and successful products.