How Can a Tech Intrapreneur Collaborate
Technology entrepreneurs are a special breed. They’re often self-starters who take full responsibility for the success of their ideas—even to the point of risking their own livelihoods. But how can you get these tech intrapreneurs to collaborate effectively with other teams within your organization?
The answer to this question depends on a number of factors. First, the tech intrapreneur must understand what motivates the other team members to work with him or her. For example, some teams thrive on a more formal and structured approach to collaboration while others prefer a more informal one. In addition, some teams are comfortable with new technology while others may be reticent about it.
A tech intrapreneur must also understand the team’s cultural norms and the nuances of its interactions with outside partners. For instance, some teams will prefer to resolve conflicts in open forums with shared information, while others are more comfortable handling these discussions in private meetings where they can avoid the pitfalls of public criticism. Taking these differences into account will help you identify the best ways to collaborate with your team members.
How Can a Tech Intrapreneur Collaborate With Other Teams Within the Organization?
Another crucial aspect is clarity of aim. In the case of corporate-startup collaborations, a clear aim can help streamline and focus efforts. This can be the result of a strategic agenda or a particular need. For instance, L’Oreal’s head of technology scouting Europe noted that her team was looking for startups whose technologies aligned with the company’s “priorities and strategies of bringing new, different, better products to the market.” Scania, a Swedish manufacturer of commercial automobiles, likewise had a clear aim in its search for tech companies to partner with.
Startups offer many advantages to corporations, including novel solutions and process flexibility. But despite the mutual benefits of working together, it’s challenging to make these relationships happen. The problem is that a corporation’s processes are often incompatible with the pace of startups, and startups don’t always have the time or resources to work through a long vetting process.
The solution is to create an environment in which tech intrapreneurs can collaborate with other teams in a way that suits their needs and skills. This means providing a framework in which they can share their work with other employees, as well as facilitating a culture of innovation where everyone is encouraged to think creatively.
Finally, the tech intrapreneur must be willing to adapt and learn from his or her colleagues. As the saying goes, there is no substitute for experience. That’s especially true when it comes to working with other people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
As the business world continues to change at a breakneck pace, it’s important for corporations and startups alike to embrace technology entrepreneurship. Creating an environment in which this kind of collaboration is possible will help ensure that the most promising tech innovations continue to be cultivated by teams of people who are passionate about solving real-world problems. And as these innovations become increasingly central to our daily lives, they’ll need all the support they can get.