Whitney’s steps to future-proofing your organization

Become a learning organization

Learning organizations are constantly assessing information and determining what the next action should be. “This is not necessarily a core competency that I have found in my engagement with the healthcare industry, but it is what the tech titans inherently do,” Whitney says. “It is built into their DNA.”

Establish a vision, mission and focus

“Luckily, innovation in business still takes place within business,” Whitney says. “In that way, the rules aren’t changed — you still need to have a vision, mission and focus that align your team around why you are innovating, how you will innovate and what it will look like when you do it.”

Be realistic about what you can do in-house and what you have to partner for

“One of the most challenging aspects of innovation is the anxiety it causes for leaders in organizations,” Whitney says. “How can they do the job already on their plate and now do this second job that they don’t have resources or skills in? The answer is usually they can’t and shouldn’t. Partnerships and embracing innovation happening outside of your four walls, with a focus on how you will evaluate and integrate viable innovation, are among the most important things that large incumbents can do.”