Messy challenges such as poverty and climate change resist the kind of innovation that results in new apps or otherwise fine-tunes the status quo. These challenges demand innovation that takes existing concepts, tools, and expertise and organizes them into new, problem-solving ecosystems.“The big shift in thinking is to see that, in every case, the innovation is the ecosystem.”

Take on “messy challenges.”

“A big view of the current ecosystem — the area you care about — allows you to better explore the real-world messiness that underlies challenges.”

Understand your current ecosystem’s challenges and opportunities.

“How do you get from the way the world looks today to the ecosystem you want to create for the future?”

Plan to shift from your current to your future ecosystem.

Embrace the “act-learn-adapt cycle” to manage risks in an unpredictable world. Build flexibility into your design so you can pivot or make changes. Use “modular blocks” that you can quickly assemble, reuse, and rearrange. Measure your “success, progress, and performance.” Success is whether your ecosystem works well and creates value for all participants; progress measures how well you move through your thin slices; and performance considers whether your team is efficient and productive.

Create your future ecosystem.

Start-ups, nonprofits, and large companies assemble real-world “Lego blocks” — people, organizations, and technology — into cohesive ecosystems. The innovation lies in the unique way these entities combine blocks, not in the individual blocks themselves.“No invention is an island. To succeed, individual inventions must be part of an ecosystem of people, organizations, and technology.”

“Ecosystem innovation” connects people, organizations, and technologies to solve big problems.

Commence ecosystem innovation by setting an ambitious goal that inspires a diverse range of individuals and organizations to work together. For example, in 1961, President John F. Kennedy set the goal of landing a man on the moon by the end of that decade. This aspiration inspired coordinated action from Congress, NASA scientists, and the American public, leading to Neil Armstrong setting foot on the lunar surface in 1969.“Being able to shape the future also makes us responsible for the future we create.”

“Set an ambitious goal that aligns actions.”

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Take on “messy challenges.”</li><li class="ql-align-justify">“Ecosystem innovation” connects people, organizations, and technologies to solve big problems.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Ecosystem innovation relies on specific sources of power.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">The “innovation choreographer” focuses on building solutions, rewarding everyone, and adapting to uncertainty.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">“Set an ambitious goal that aligns actions.”</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Understand your current ecosystem’s challenges and opportunities.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Design your future ecosystem.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Plan the shift from your current to your future ecosystem.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Create your future ecosystem.</li></ul>

Take-Aways

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Building complete solutions — They arrange the Legos functionally by seeing the big picture of the ecosystem, understanding that connections — not individual components — create the most value, and ensuring that no key pieces are missing.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Rewarding everyone — They give individuals and organizations tailored rewards that match their unique motivations to generate win-win outcomes that benefit everyone.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Creatively adapting to uncertainty — They take creative action despite uncertainties.</li></ul>

Innovation choreographers main tasks

3- “Rule-breaking” — The ability of ecosystems to break or change rules ethically and legally helps them circumvent industry constraints and barriers. 4- “Magical synergies” — Ecosystems combine individual innovations into a powerful system, causing synergies between disparate parts to emerge and create new value and growth. 5- “Adaptive flexibility” — Unlike conventional businesses with rigid rules, ecosystems easily adapt to new challenges by adding or subtracting blocks and connections.

To craft a bold future vision, start by considering current trends, ideas from other fields, underutilized people and resources, innovative technology, and “unmet needs.” Map out the Lego blocks and connections of your future ecosystem, as you did with your current ecosystem. Test your ecosystem for completeness by seeking out the components that might prevent it from working in the real world.“Remember the trifecta — aim for something that is practical, ambitious, and creates significant value.”

Design your future ecosystem.

The innovation choreographer is an emerging role. Though essential, they lack recognition, as UX designers did in the early years of online business. Innovation choreographers connect people, organizations, and technologies to achieve sweeping goals. They bring talented people together to turn ambitious visions into reality. Innovation choreographers are usually generalists who understand the big picture of a given challenge, cut across boundaries, strategically break the rules, solve problems adaptively, and tell stories that galvanize support.“We deserve work worthy of our talent.”

The “innovation choreographer” focuses on building solutions, rewarding everyone, and adapting to uncertainty.

The ability of ecosystems such as Airbnb to grow rests on these sources of power:<ol><li class="ql-align-justify">“Lots of building blocks” — Whether it’s people learning new skills, assets being underused, or innovative technologies being developed, more building blocks exist now than at any other time in history.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">“Built-in motivations” — Different motivations and rewards drive people and organizations. Ecosystems leverage this difference to create win-win situations that incentivize everyone to participate, which fuels continued growth.</li></ol>

Ecosystem innovations rely on specific sources of power.

Demonstrate how “ecosystem innovation” brings people, organizations, and technologies together to solve complex problems. Whether you’re a small business or a global organization, their practical guide will help you innovate a “future ecosystem.”

Unleash your potential to do bigger things!   In today’s changing world, where business leaders must navigate industry disruption, entrepreneurs struggle to push beyond initial success, and activists tackle hard challenges like climate change, there is a need for a more powerful way to do innovation. Too many innovators are trapped by the limits of common innovation practices. The way we’ve been taught to create and innovate for the past two decades is failing us.   It’s time for a paradigm shift. To unlock the secrets to doing bigger things, this book introduces the pioneering concept of ecosystem innovation. Drawing on their experience with a wide range of innovators, from Fortune Global 100 companies to local entrepreneurs in Nepal, authors Dan McClure and Jennifer Wilde present remarkable stories and actionable insights for achieving more with innovation.   With this step-by-step guide, you’ll acquire the big-picture mindset and capabilities you need to outmaneuver fast-moving competitors and break through the ceiling on innovation impact. Do Bigger Things offers a practical way to set bolder goals, understand harder challenges, and design more powerful solutions.   Shatter the notion that game-changing endeavors are beyond your reach, your organization’s capabilities, or your community’s grasp. The time to do bigger things is now.