Complexities of Organizational Strategy and Innovation
Article | Disruptive and Sustained Innovations| May 2023

In the world of engineering, just as in corporate strategy, stability and innovation are not mutually exclusive—they are two sides of the same coin. My experience in designing and overseeing the construction of bridges and buildings has taught me that every structure needs a solid foundation, but it must also be flexible enough to adapt to future demands. 

Dissecting the Innovator's Dilemma

• Disruptive Innovations: They're risky but potentially groundbreaking. Often unproven and based on futuristic needs, these innovations serve as a double-edged sword, providing a glimpse into the future while being held by the uncertainties of the present.
• Sustained Innovations: Similar to incremental improvements in building techniques, these innovations refine existing technologies to better meet user needs. Sometimes, these innovations find themselves being overshadowed by their disruptive counterparts.

In some scenarios, where neither form of innovation is actively pursued and the focus is predominantly on business strategies, the question arises: Can an organization sustain itself without active product improvements and innovations?

Strategic Development in Organizations
Engineers are natural problem-solvers, a skill that translates seamlessly into strategic planning. Here's how my engineering mindset applies to various strategic frameworks:

• Balanced Scorecard: Just as engineers consider multiple factors in structural design (strength, cost, aesthetics), this framework ensures a holistic view of organizational performance. This is a framework that ensures a comprehensive view of performance across financial, customer, internal process, and learning and growth perspectives.
• BCG Matrix: This reminds me of resource allocation in large-scale projects, where we must prioritize elements based on their importance and potential. This is a tool that classifies products into four categories - stars, question marks, cash cows, and dogs - aiding in resource allocation decisions.
• VRIO Model:  In engineering, we constantly assess materials and methods for their unique properties. Similarly, VRIO helps identify a company's competitive advantages. Focused on Value, Rarity, Imitation, and Organization, VRIO assists companies in assessing their potential competitive edge.
• Kill the Company Strategies: This aligns with the my inclination for stress testing. Engineers anticipate potential failures to build more robust solutions. This Strategy aims at disrupting existing business models, potentially forcing an organization to pivot or adapt.

Kill the Company Strategies: A Closer Look
These strategies, which can be employed by startups and established companies alike, include:

• New Product Development: Offering novel products that disrupt the existing market.
• New Business Models: Innovating with business models that enhance efficiency or efficacy.
• New Technologies: Introducing technologies that potentially render existing ones obsolete.
• New Marketing Strategies: Crafting marketing approaches that tap into new customer bases or alter existing perceptions.

Navigating Through Five Competitive Forces
As I transition into tech leadership, I bring a unique perspective on navigating competitive forces:

• Bargaining Power of Buyers: Similar to managing stakeholders and suppliers in large construction projects this step involves striking a balance between providing value and maintaining profitability.
• Bargaining Power of Suppliers: Comparable to evaluating alternative materials or design approaches. This step involves navigating through supplier demands while ensuring operational efficacy.
• Substitutes or Alternatives: Similar to bidding for projects against other engineering firms. This step involves mitigating the threats posed by lower-cost alternatives.
• New or Existing Competition: Ensuring that the organization remains competitive amidst new entrants and existing rivals.
• Rivalry: : Reflects the constant drive for innovation in engineering to stay ahead. Maintaining a competitive edge amidst the ongoing rivalries in the market.

Conclusion
My journey from bridges to bytes illustrates the versatility of an engineering mindset. In the rapidly evolving tech landscape, leaders with diverse backgrounds bring fresh perspectives to innovation and strategy. My experience in creating structures that withstand physical forces uniquely positions me to build robust, scalable tech solutions and lead teams through the complexities of machine learning projects.
As organizations navigate the intersection of innovation and strategy, leaders with cross-disciplinary expertise like mine can provide the structural integrity needed to support ambitious technological advancements while ensuring a solid foundation for sustainable growth.