I closed out my posts in 2023 reflecting on the “golden” threads that need to weave through innovation business ecosystems. So equally I share these four threads here again as they are so important to Business Ecosystem thinking and design going forward.
I raised the ecosystem thinking and design story ““At the heart of this story lies the understanding that innovation is NEVER a solitary endeavor; it thrives really well within ecosystems.
Just imagine these ecosystems as intricate and interconnected sets of networks, bustling with activity, with thinkers and doers, where individuals, organizations, and institutions converged with a shared goal – to innovate and create value“
The value of business ecosystems needs to be highly dynamic. Four threads need to weave through innovation ecosystem designs“
Did I achieve this weaving throughout the year?
I think I failed to convey these four threads consistently into my posts in 2024.
The first thread of this framework is the notion of value creation. It is the realization that these ecosystems were new factories of value, not just in terms of financial gain but in their profound impact on society and the environment. Each actor within the ecosystem, whether a business, a research institution, or a startup, contributed a unique piece to this intricate puzzle, crafting a beautiful tapestry of innovation from combining their endeavors to constantly seek out a different level of value creation.
The second thread, knowledge transfer, is like the lifeblood of these ecosystems. It is through the exchange of knowledge that innovation thrives. From universities to businesses and from research labs to government agencies, knowledge needs to flow like a constant river, nurturing the fertile soil of creativity, imaginations and push constantly for progress. It is not just about sharing information; it is about nurturing a culture of learning and discovery, by combining the talent and need for discovery .
Co-creation is the third element, a magical process where diverse actors came together like jigsaw puzzle pieces. They didn’t just share ideas; they wove them into innovative solutions. Design thinkers rubbed shoulders with entrepreneurs, and user feedback is cherished like gold as the window to open to allow ingenuity, originality and inventiveness to take hold. Co-creation is the heart of these ecosystems, where sparks of genius fly and innovation is born.
The fourth thread, competitive positioning, teaches us that thriving in this dynamic environment requires strategic thinking and new visions. Businesses, startups, and institutions had to constantly adapt and position themselves wisely. It becomes a dance where every move matters, and strategic partnerships become the secret to success in cooperation and competition, viewed in different perspectives of “coopetition”
The heart of this framework champions collaboration and co-creation
We do need to constantly recognized that innovation is a highly collective endeavor; it always will be. It fosters collaboration between individuals, organizations, and institutions, creating a symphony of ideas that resonate far beyond the boundaries of any single actor.
The job@hand in 2025 is using these “golden” threads and turning my Integrated Business Ecosystem framework into a living, thriving one, where those who embrace the need to integrate, collaborate, and network are working in and embracing the power of dynamic, innovative ecosystems.
Ecosystems are not static; they are alive and ever-changing.
The ubiquity of ecosystems are fundamental, equally to life, business or being able to be allowed to simply evolve. Business Ecosystems join Natural Ecosystems, Social Ecosystems and Digital Ecosystems, they should be everywhere in our thinking and designs