Operating Principle

2–4 min read

Internal Innovation Gets Starved by Core Business Metrics

Internal Innovation Gets Starved by Core Business Metrics

Internal Innovation Gets Starved by Core Business Metrics

Core-business metrics systematically starve internal innovation.

Core-business metrics systematically starve internal innovation.

Core-business metrics systematically starve internal innovation.

Early innovation loses resource contests when judged against mature business standards.

Early innovation loses resource contests when judged against mature business standards.

Early innovation loses resource contests when judged against mature business standards.

Early innovation loses resource contests when judged against mature business standards.

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Operating Question

What assumption, incentive, capability, or handoff is determining whether this innovation can progress?

What assumption, incentive, capability, or handoff is determining whether this innovation can progress?

What assumption, incentive, capability, or handoff is determining whether this innovation can progress?

Why It Matters

Early innovation loses resource contests when judged against mature business standards.

Supporting Evidence

Clayton Christensen and Joseph Bower; Vijay Govindarajan.

Research Notes

Match the innovation approach to uncertainty, capital intensity, and the stage of commercialization.

Practical Actions

Use stage metrics; protect separate funding; audit allocation design.

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