Scaling Innovation – The What, Why, and How

Innovation is responsible for approximately 85% of economic growth, making it a crucial factor for the success of both individual organizations and society as a whole. However, creating something new is not enough to achieve the desired impact. To make a real difference, organizations need to commit to systematically pursuing results by scaling viable ideas into products or businesses that create value at scale. This article delves into the three key dimensions of scaling an innovation, including scaling up, scaling out, and scaling deep. Scaling up requires creating the preconditions for scaling effectively, including producing enough of the product and doing so efficiently enough to be financially and operationally viable. Additionally, there is a social and institutional adoption of the innovation aspect that must be considered. Scaling out is about expanding the innovation to a wider audience, while scaling deep is about maximizing the use and impact of the innovation for those who already have access. While each dimension is distinct, they are intertwined and must be considered in conjunction with one another. Practical tips for scaling an innovation are explored, including focusing on eliminating whatever bottleneck is preventing scaling, innovating solutions as necessary, and aligning all aspects of the business to create a cohesive and scalable model.