Three key roles and three core jobs of corporate innovation

Success of corporate innovation depends on three key roles, each with a specific and unique core task:

1. Corporate innovators develop business ideas into profitable products, services, or ventures.
2. Innovation managers ensure that innovators' efforts remain aligned with the organisation's strategy, and that they have access to sufficient resources to get their job done.
3. Executives' core job is providing clear strategic direction and funding.

When everyone does their part, then the organisation has a chance to profit from their investments in innovation.