John Bessant on Why Innovation is About Connections

John Bessant, Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Exeter University, believes that the success of innovation relies more on taking into account a web of connections and less on following prescribed processes. Innovation campaigns and contests, innovation marketplaces, and new roles such as brokers and scouts can assist in the endeavour of weaving more connections into innovation networks. To innovate in the new frontier, companies need entrepreneurs who willingly take risks and learn from fast failures, as well as system architects who see the bigger picture.