Lotus Innovation Model
The Lotus Innovation Model has been developed to describe the process by which innovation occurs. This model originated in the East and is centered around the concept of the lotus flower. The lotus is a symbol of new beginnings, emergence, and the potential for blooming even in challenging conditions. This model draws on this symbolism to suggest that innovation can be developed through understanding and mastering the cycles of a particular environment, meeting the challenges of the environment, and taking adaptive actions.
The model begins with the core concept of the “Root”. The Root is a deep understanding of the environment in which an innovation process is taking place. This environment can include cultural, economic, and technological factors, as well as social, political, and environmental influences. The Root is the first step in developing successful innovations, as it gives individuals and organizations a starting point for their innovative efforts.
The Lotus Innovation Model suggests that individuals and organizations should go through four phases in order to achieve success: Emergence, Blooming, Empowerment, and Evolution. These phases are meant to be seen as cycles, with the goal being to move from one cycle to the next in order to achieve innovation success.
The Emergence phase is where the innovation journey begins. This is often an unknown or unfamiliar environment, but one that must be understood in order to successfully navigate through it. During this phase, individuals and organizations must assess the current state of their environment. This could require researching market trends, identifying customer needs, studying competitors, and understanding user behavior. This is crucial to the success of any innovation process, as the Root of the Environment is the foundation of all innovation efforts.
The next phase is Blooming. During this phase, the knowledge and understanding gained during the first phase should be translated into tangible results. This could involve developing products and services to meet customer needs, identifying business opportunities, launching campaigns, or working on new forms of technology. During this phase, individuals and organizations can start to see the impact of their innovations on the wider ecosystem and surrounding environment.
The third phase is Empowerment. During this phase, individuals and organizations must focus on gaining the resources needed to move their innovation efforts forward. This could involve developing partnerships or attracting funding. In addition, individuals and organizations must also focus on building capacity to enable their innovation activities. This could involve creating an internal team dedicated to the innovation process, or forming a network of external partners who can help to develop, commercialize, and scale their innovation.
The final phase of the model is Evolution. During this phase, individuals and organizations must focus on the sustainability of the innovation process. This could include the development and implementation of strategies to ensure the long-term success of the innovation. Such strategies might include the development of business plans, the exploration of new markets, or the utilization of technology for competitive advantage.
The Lotus Innovation Model is a powerful tool for individuals and organizations that wish to understand and master the innovation process. Through establishing a core understanding of the environment in which an innovation process is taking place, and then going through each of the four phases of the model, individuals and organizations can establish an ongoing cycle of innovation and success.
