Strategic Innovation: Embedding Innovation as a Core Competency in Your Organization

PREFACE

This book is a case study focused on one organization—the Whirlpool Corporation—and its journey to embed innovation as a core competency. Embedment is a rather new term, so it's only fitting that we define what we mean. In embedding innovation, we are referring to a wide range of actions that assimilate, incorporate, internalize, and imbue the entire fabric or lifeblood of an organization with the mind-set and skills of innovation. Think of embedment as a cross between embodiment and bedrock. We will shortly explain in much greater detail the nature and purpose of embedment and innovation.

You are probably familiar with Whirlpool and its major North American brands: Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Roper. It also has a significant partnership ...