Episode 5: Driving lasting impact: three case studies of sustainable competitive advantage
Published on 12 November 2024 • Hosted by Dr Lisa Colledge
In today's fast-changing business environment, competitive advantage is no longer just about offering superior products or services. It’s about creating value that lasts. In this episode of Culture by Neurodesign, I explore how thoughtful cultural change can fuel lasting business success.
Here are three case studies – in new product innovation, practical frameworks, and cultural transformation - that illustrate this approach.
SciVal: the first case study is SciVal, a product created at Elsevier that revolutionized the way research institutions make decisions. By engaging future customers early in the product development process, we didn’t just build a tool for data analytics—it helped to educatee users on how to use these insights responsibly. This level of customer involvement de-risked the product launch and ensured that SciVal continues to be a success a decade later.
Building a responsible framework for use of metrics: the second example is a framework we developed to help research institutions use metrics responsibly. With a vast array of metrics suddenly at their fingertips, the challenge was to discourage misuse and ensure insights from metrics were applied thoughtfully. By working closely with day-to-day influencers rather than senior leaders, we co-created practical solutions—like the “basket of metrics” concept and two simple golden rules—that transformed what could have been an overwhelming experience into something manageable and effective.
Cultural transformation for high performance: finally, I share a case where we transformed the culture of a large department that had been rapidly merged from three distinct teams. Initially, this merger created friction and inefficiencies. But by listening to concerns, involving team members in creating a shared vision, and modeling inclusive behaviors from the top, we turned the situation around. Engagement scores and productivity skyrocketed, proving that culture, when handled correctly, is as much a business asset as any product or framework.
Key takeaways for leaders: the common thread across these stories is the importance of inclusion, education, and involvement. Whether you're developing a new product, setting up a framework, or changing your organization's culture, involving people and building trust through transparency and collaboration is critical to long-term success.
I'm Lisa, and I help leaders create inclusive cultures that embrace all neurostyles. By empowering every team member to contribute at their best, while fostering mental well-being, you will boost innovation, retention, and talent acquisition—leading to enhanced business performance.
Click here to learn more about how my services can transform your team.
