Alfonso Fugetta - on innovation

Alfonso Fugetta, Politecnico di Milano

Can innovation be taught?

Yes and no. Without personal field experience, teaching is not enough. I think a certain innovative attitude and the ability to uncover hidden opportunities and, most of all, to confront ourselves with other people and cultures may be taught through hands on experiences which may provide people with insights on how to foresee and act.

In the corporate world, what does innovation mean and why is it important?

Innovation means surviving for all kinds of organizations, from large multinational corporations to the small and medium enterprises.

Do corporations expect MIDI participants to bring back innovative thinking to the workplace as an acquired skill?

Well I don't think they should just expect it, I think they must give it for granted. MIDI attracts managers eager to govern the development process of innovative products and services using ICT and Design as competitive levers for both mature and emerging markets.

How does MIDI help participants face the challenge of innovation?

Presenting a wide range leading edge approaches and preparing them to steer the product development process, taking into account marketing inputs, technology and design aspects, financial constraints, human resources, supply chain and other operational issues in a truly trans-national and very competitive business environment.

Do innovation and leadership go hand-in-hand?

Not at all times. What is absolutely sure is that to maintain leadership you need to continuously innovate, while innovation is not always a steady and successful path to market leadership.

Interview by Dawn Bournand, Features Editor, QS TopExecEd