Why Our Open Approach Works

A problem shared is a problem solved.

No matter what business you are in, there is always an opportunity to work better, faster, or smarter. There is always room to pivot, change, or add value. There is always a problem to overcome, but what happens when these challenges can’t be solved internally?

Our approach to External  Innovation enables us to find problem solvers from around the world. We then work with them to bolster the strength of any organization’s existing workforce. It empowers Wazoku to problem solve, and view issues from a different perspective, combining different locations, cultures, backgrounds, and areas of expertise.

Important Principles that underpin External Innovation:

• No company houses all the world’s smartest people
• External R&D can create significant value
• You don’t have to originate the research to benefit from it
• Organizations that make the most of internal and external ideas will outperform those which don’t

If you have always thought of innovation as something that’s done internally or with consultants, moving to a truly ‘outside-in’ mindset may initially be a challenge. Once you start to think about the knowledge, expertise, and sheer thinking power you can tap into, however, it can be a eureka moment in itself.

How does it work?

Our External Innovation Marketplace is the world’s biggest community of global problem solvers.

To get an answer to a problem or an opportunity worth exploring, organizations don’t have to assess job applications or resumes. Instead, businesses post their toughest challenges, in the form of our prize-based competitions, to our worldwide network of change makers.

The Wazoku Challenge Community:

• The world’s only accredited community of expert problem solvers
• Fast access to ideas that can become solutions to business problems or open other opportunities to explore
• A truly cost-effective approach
• Well-honed Challenge-Driven Innovation® framework means that solutions will be useable immediately