How we work
Innovation is a discipline, not a magic trick.
Our approach
Our work is built on the combined expertise of five senior practitioners and researchers, each contributing a distinct perspective to a shared innovation model.
At the core of our approach is a clear understanding of complexity. Organisations are not machines that can be optimised through linear processes. They are living systems. Innovation, therefore, cannot be installed. It must be cultivated, sustained and reinforced over time.
Each of us contributes to this model from our own domain of expertise. Together, we ensure that innovation is not only well designed, but well led, well adopted and sustained in everyday practice.
A Shared Language for Balance
We use Red Matters 3-ology (RM3) as a foundational language to ensure innovation doesn't break the organisation.
“RM3 describes innovation capability as a balance between structure, culture and development. Innovation does not live in one dimension. It emerges when governance enables learning, culture supports exploration, and development turns insight into action over time.”
Sustaining Change with ADKAR
Innovation is not just about having great ideas. It's about people adopting new ways of working.
While Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, and Ability are crucial for getting started, our primary focus for long-term impact is on Reinforcement.
Without reinforcement, people revert to old habits. We design governance, leadership routines, and recognition systems that make the new way of working the easiest way.
Connection to ISO 56000
This directly supports the ISO principles of Leadership and Improvement. Sustainment isn't accidental; it's a managed process of keeping the innovation system fit for purpose.
The Reinforcement Loop
- GovernanceDecisions that stick.
- RoutinesHabits that replace heroics.
- CelebrationRecognising the right behaviours.
- MeasurementTracking adoption, not just activity.
ISO 56000 Integration
We apply the ISO 56000 standards in two distinct modes, both supported by RM3 and our Lean. Fit. Legit model.
1. Always-on innovation management system
Focus on leadership intent, governance, culture, capability building and continuous learning. This creates the environment where innovation can happen repeatedly.
2. Innovation projects and idea pathways
Focus on structured exploration, experimentation, temporary teams, decision points and implementation. This is the engine of specific value creation.
Our Principles
Human-centred
We start with real human needs, not technology looking for a problem.
Evidence-led
Opinions are interesting. Data is better. We test to learn.
Iterative
We don't bet the farm. We make small bets, learn, and double down on what works.
Governance-aware
Innovation must survive in the wild. We design for your compliance and operational reality.
Typical Cadence
"The rhythm of the sprints kept us honest and moving forward."
Innovation without theatre
We intentionally avoid the traps that give innovation a bad name.
Case Studies
We measure success by what changed, not just what we delivered.
Global Retailer Strategy
A multinational retailer was struggling with fragmented innovation efforts across 20 markets.
We implemented a portfolio management system and a unified innovation thesis.
Moved from 200+ disconnected 'pet projects' to 15 strategic bets. 30% reduction in wasted spend.
Fintech Customer Journey
A fast-growing fintech noticed a drop in user retention after the first 30 days.
We ran a 6-week Experimentation Studio, interviewing 50+ churned users and prototyping 3 new onboarding flows.
Identified the core trust gap. The new flow increased Month 1 retention by 15%.
Public Sector Capability
A government agency needed to modernize but faced stiff internal resistance and fear of failure.
We designed a 'Safe to Try' framework and trained 50 innovation champions.
Launched 5 pilot services in 6 months (previously took 2 years). Culture shift score improved by 40%.
Healthcare Digital Twin
A hospital group wanted to explore digital twins for patient flow.
We built a low-code simulation in 3 weeks instead of buying expensive software.
Proved the value case was weak before spending $2M. Saved the client from a costly mistake.
Manufacturing AI Assistant
A factory floor team was overwhelmed by complex machinery manuals.
We prototyped a voice-activated AI assistant using off-the-shelf LLMs.
Reduced diagnosis time by 60%. Now moving to full production build.
Insurance Product Launch
An insurer wanted to launch a pay-as-you-drive product for millennials.
We designed a 'sidecar' product launch that bypassed legacy systems for the pilot.
Launched in 3 months. Gathered real market data to justify the backend integration.
Insights
Thoughts on the craft of innovation, governance, and organisational change.
The research foundation behind our work on innovation capability, complexity and system design.
We are living through a quiet contradiction. Innovation has accelerated technically, yet something human has thinned out along the way.
Why the pursuit of perfection is the enemy of innovation, and how 'bumbling' is actually a disciplined strategy.
How to spot the difference between real progress and corporate performance art. Hint: Look at the learning logs.
Why innovation outcomes depend on governance that turns learning into change.
Stop betting everything on one 'moonshot'. How to manage a balanced portfolio of bets.
Most governance is designed to stop things. Here is how to design governance that starts things safely.
Yes, you can experiment in banking and healthcare. You just need better guardrails.
Finding kindred spirits
Some of the most meaningful work we do begins not with a contract, but with a conversation between people who share the same stubborn belief that innovation can be done properly.
We actively look for organisations, researchers, and institutions who think the same way. If you are working on something worth working on, we want to hear about it. Not to sell you something, but to explore what building it together might look like.
We are open to co-creation, research partnerships, shared capability programmes, and pilot collaborations. We have experience operating within EU-funded frameworks and are familiar with the expectations, reporting standards, and collaborative structures that come with them.
Innovation pilots
Co-design and test new approaches to governance, capability, or culture in a real organisational setting.
EU programmes and projects
We are experienced in Horizon Europe and other funded frameworks. We bring methodology, standards expertise, and delivery rigour.
Research and academic collaboration
We bridge practice and scholarship. If your research touches innovation systems, governance, or capability, let's talk.
Strategic alliances
Co-delivery, white-label, or referral arrangements with consultancies, technology providers, and learning organisations alike.