Business News
Konica Minoltas innovation approach recognised in best practice global report
Wednesday 20. June 2018 - For large firms, the accelerating pace of digitalisation in modern business creates both opportunity and risk: On the one hand, it can be a source for significant growth. On the other hand, even small start-ups can quickly disrupt established core markets for big players.
This makes innovation power a crucial factor for business success – and forces big companies to re-evaluate the way they organise innovation. Konica Minoltas innovation approach is one of the best practices referenced in Capgemini Consulting and MIT Digitals new research on “The Foundations of Corporate Innovation in the Digital Age”.
Innovation is a core virtue for Konica Minolta, from well before the digital era: for more than 140 years of its existence, the company has never stopped pushing the boundaries of technology for its customers. Yuji Ichimura, Konica Minoltas Senior Executive Officer at Konica Minolta, Inc, said: “To us, innovation is a core business function pursued around the world.”
Capgemini Consulting and MIT Digitals report identifies three factors for a successful organisation of innovation in large corporations: the right innovation architecture, the right innovation sources and the alignment of the right capabilities. Konica Minoltas innovation architecture spans the globe with its five Business Innovation Centres (BICs) on different continents. Their mission is to gain a deeper understanding of customers needs and deliver the greatest value by anticipating them, serving as core engines of growth for the company.
With regard to innovation sources, Konica Minolta believes that collaboration is a key driver for success. Therefore, it pursues an “open innovation” process, working together with clients, partners, independent research facilities and universities, to develop new offerings in the areas of The Workplace of the Future, Augmented Vision, Wearable Devices and Innovation as a Service. The BICs are the catalysts for change and success to deliver Konica Minoltas future offerings. Finally, innovation is deeply anchored in the companys culture of constant transformation, encouraging teams to take on its challenges:
“We are honoured and proud to be included as a best practice in this innovation report by such renowned organisations. This further assures us that we are on the right track to ensure a successful future for our company”, Ichimura concluded.
As innovation is part of the core DNA of Konica Minolta, the company is always evolving new ways and technologies to help businesses flourish in the new Digital world.
Cath Hackett, Director of Strategic Marketing and Innovation at Konica Business Solutions UK, said: “Our innovations help businesses to shape the future, changing the way people conduct business and use technology for business advantage. We have helped many global blue-chip businesses reduce costs, streamline business processes and undergo successful digital transformation
“In the UK, Konica Minolta, is going through really exciting changes as we continue to evolve into an agile Smart Data and IT Services company that meets the changing needs of customers with our Digital Print, IoT, Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality solutions, and Managed IT Services.”