One of the initiatives started by the Tata level apex forum 'Tata Group Innovation Forum (TGIF)' under the chairmanship of Mr R Gopalakrishnan was 'Tata Innovation Day', which was rebranded as 'Tata Innovista' last year. Encouraging breakthrough innovations, this Tata level rewards and recognition program has grown substantially in the past four years. Last year we had a participation of 1700 innovation teams from around 65 Tata companies all over the world. A few teams selected with the help of Tata jurors were invited to various regions to participate. The regional Innovista programs (1st leg) are organized by various Tata Network Forums (TNF). These are typically organized at around ten places which cover India, Europe, NA, SE Asia and South Africa. Top teams from every TNF are invited for finals in Mumbai. After a rigorous jury process, which sees very eminent jury members, the awards are presented by the Group Chairman.
We have the following categories of awards:
- Promising Innovations: This award is given for most successfully implemented innovations during the year.
- Dare to Try: This award is given to the most daring team which made a sincere and valiant attempt for a major innovation but could not obtain the desired results. We all know that 'intelligent failures' are stepping stones for path-breaking innovations. This award celebrates that spirit.
- The Leading Edge: This award is given for the most innovative business idea. This award has three sub-categories.
a. Innovative idea for one's own company
b. Innovative idea for a different Tata Company
c. Innovative idea that is new to the Group
We also recognize that innovation encompasses more than product innovation brought by the R&D teams. There have been hundreds of examples where innovations have come from areas like Finance, Maintenance, Sales, Marketing, HR, Branding, Supply Chain, etc.
To enhance the reach of this program, and thereby increase the participation level, last year we used the medium of IT to communicate to Tata employees about 'Innovation' and 'Tata Innovista'. This resulted in six times increase in the participation level.
The campaign for Tata Innovista 2010 has been kicked off in almost 67 companies early in February 10. We are reaching out to more employees this year not only through the IT medium, but also through mobiles and emails.
Last year, we had organized road shows in different Indian cities to clarify the subject of 'Innovation', and to generate excitement and interest around 'Tata Innovista'. This year, the road shows would cover a few more things that TGIF started last year viz. Tata InnoMeter, Tata Innoverse and Tata InnoMultiplier. These road shows would be conducted in March-April 2010.
Last year, we had introduced new concepts like 'Innovista Quotient' and 'Dashboard' to provide feedback on the quantity and quality of participation. Some companies have started organizing internal Tata Innovista programs that help them to create a larger movement around 'Innovation' and also help them to create a measurement system for Innovation, similar to 'Innovista Quotient'.
This is to invite you to participate in Tata Innovista - 2010 under any/all of the three categories through an online system available on tatainnovista.com.
We look forward to seeing you at the Tata InnoVista 2010.
For more details on the event, contact pawas@tataquality.com
PS - A short film on "Tata Innovista" is available on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1K-OTMcwiU