Run Effective BU–Innovation Strategy Dialogs
Many innovation leaders struggle to align with business units on growth priorities. A BU–Innovation Strategy Dialog is a recurring, structured meeting where both sides align on opportunities, funding, and ownership — turning parallel agendas into one shared growth roadmap.
The Problem
Innovation and BUs operate on different clocks. Without a structured dialog, Innovation pushes ideas that don’t fit BU goals, while business leaders see risk instead of relevance. Reviews focus on activity rather than decisions or measurable progress.
- No consistent forum or cadence for BU–Innovation growth discussions
- BU participation is symbolic, not co-ownership
- Decisions are ad hoc — budgets follow noise, not evidence
- Innovation portfolios lack visibility in BU H2 planning
The Fix
Structure the dialog so governance, cadence, and evidence align Innovation and BUs on medium-term growth. What works in practice:
- Establish a quarterly rhythm for shared priorities and resourcing decisions
- Use evidence-based templates that link outcomes to BU KPIs
- Define decision rights — who funds, who owns, and what “ready to scale” means
- Stage funding to proof — tie budgets to verified evidence
- Close with a single-page action log of owners, milestones, and next moves
When the dialog becomes part of the operating rhythm, Innovation and BUs move in sync — co-owning growth instead of competing for attention.
Make It Work for You
If you’d like to:
- Set up a recurring BU–Innovation strategy dialog that leadership supports
- Define an agenda that moves from ideas to funded actions
- Apply proven formats used by global innovation leaders
You are welcome to book a short call. No pitch. Just clarity on how to start your first strategy dialog.
Here’s What Your Peers Say:
Once we formalized quarterly dialogs with BUs, alignment and funding followed — accelerating time-to-commitment by 30%.
(Head of Corporate Innovation, Global Manufacturing Group)
(Head of Corporate Innovation, Global Manufacturing Group)
These sessions shifted the tone from updates to ownership. Now BUs bring their own ideas for H2 growth.
(Director of Strategy, Global Energy Company)
(Director of Strategy, Global Energy Company)
PS: Learn about the Lean Scaleup framework or explore how peers align Innovation and BUs for H2 growth here.
Related reading:
De-Risk Strategic Growth Initiatives,
and
Align Innovation with BU H2 Portfolios,
and
Growth at the Edge of Core Case Examples.
Let Us Get Started
Please add your details below and we will schedule a short call to discuss your situation.