Kyle Basler Reeder on Open Innovation at ExxonMobil

As the CEO of Wazoku, I am always eager to explore how large organizations embrace innovation to stay competitive. In this episode of the Total Innovation Podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Kyle Basler Reeder, who leads open innovation at ExxonMobil. His journey of building a company-wide innovation program from the ground up, in less than 18 months, is a powerful case study of how open innovation can transform corporate culture and problem-solving. You can watch the full interview on our YouTube channel here.

Open innovation is about going beyond your immediate team, even beyond your industry, and tapping into a global crowd of problem solvers. That’s where real breakthroughs happen.

Kyle Basler-Reeder

Part One: From Geophysicist to Innovation Leader

Kyle began his career as an exploration geophysicist at ExxonMobil, which is far from his current role as an open innovation leader. However, his passion for innovation drove him to spearhead the creation of an open innovation program for the company. His combination of deep technical knowledge and innovative mindset allowed him to build a program that taps into external resources and encourages collaboration.

Part Two: Scaling Open Innovation at ExxonMobil

One of the most intriguing parts of our discussion was learning how Kyle scaled the open innovation program. He highlighted that organizational readiness and empathy were crucial in overcoming internal resistance. By addressing each team’s specific concerns and showing the benefits of external collaboration, he gained their trust. Furthermore, his strategic use of global crowdsourcing platforms brought fresh, innovative solutions from outside the company.

Challenges and Successes

Naturally, the journey wasn’t without its challenges. Kyle openly discussed concerns over intellectual property and legal risks. Yet, the rewards have been significant. ExxonMobil’s open innovation initiative has connected its internal teams with external solutions, allowing them to overcome complex challenges and push the boundaries of what’s possible in their industry.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Open Innovation at ExxonMobil

As we concluded our conversation, Kyle shared his vision for the future. He envisions ExxonMobil entering the “Execution Era,” where open innovation becomes part of daily operations. With the support of AI-powered tools and optimized processes, open innovation at ExxonMobil will continue to evolve. Kyle’s advice to fellow innovators is to embrace challenges—they present opportunities to learn and grow.

At Wazoku, we believe in the power of open innovation to drive real change, and Kyle’s work at ExxonMobil is a shining example. His ability to leverage external ideas and resources has helped ExxonMobil solve problems in new ways and stay ahead of the curve.

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