There is an integral ingredient to the Innovation Formula that is often overlooked or intentionally omitted. This CSF is one of the most powerful agents in the development of break-out ideas, yet it is routinely forgotten, or worse, dismissed for fears that one would be sharing information with would-be competitors; whether internal, external or both.

When it comes to innovation, nothing ventured, nothing gained; with the spoils going to the deserving victor. Fears are to be examined for sure, however in this case, you really aren’t taking that big of a risk; here's why:

• Firstly, with the right technology, one can avoid publishing those conversations, collaborations or ideas with just about anyone if one take the time to configure the right vigilance into their process
• Secondly, if one has a well-tuned and purposeful process in place that is supported from the top and has purposeful tasking throughout the organization, your time-to-market will eclipse that of any copy-cay; hands-down

Diversity in your innovation community is the catalyst that enables exciting discoveries and rapid development. This diversity comes in many forms:

How many successful TV shows are written by one person alone? How many cool new cars are the products of a single engineer? How many wild and graphic-rich new video games are produced by one lone programmer? Electronic Arts now has studios in more than a half-dozen countries – is that an accident? The war on talent doesn’t have to be won by acquiring all the brain-power on the planet – simply create an environment around your organization and/or its brands where people with desire, motivation and inspiration can converge to innovate. Give them the assurance of good outcomes, the tools to truly create and the meaningful ties to collaborate – and watch what this creative outlet can produce.