2 Create a safe and supportive environment

One of the key factors that influence the creativity of your open innovation network is the level of trust and openness that you establish with them. You need to create a safe and supportive environment where your partners can share their ideas, opinions, and feedback without fear of judgment, criticism, or exploitation. You also need to respect their intellectual property rights, protect their confidentiality, and acknowledge their contributions. By doing so, you can build a strong and lasting relationship with your network, and encourage them to share their best and most innovative ideas with you.

3 Provide feedback and recognition

Another way to tap into the creativity of your open innovation network is to provide them with regular and constructive feedback and recognition. Feedback is essential to help your partners improve their ideas, learn from their mistakes, and refine their solutions. Recognition is important to motivate your partners, reward their efforts, and celebrate their achievements. You can provide feedback and recognition through various channels, such as online platforms, social media, newsletters, events, or awards. By doing so, you can show your appreciation and respect for your network, and inspire them to continue collaborating with you.

4 Experiment and iterate

Finally, to tap into the creativity of your open innovation network, you need to be willing to experiment and iterate with their ideas and solutions. You need to test and validate their assumptions, hypotheses, and prototypes with real users, customers, and stakeholders, and collect data and feedback to measure their impact and value. You also need to be flexible and adaptable to incorporate their feedback and suggestions, and make changes and improvements as needed. By doing so, you can learn from your network, co-create value with them, and deliver better and more innovative outcomes.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?