Disruptive technologies should be at the heart of any business, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes businesses rely on what’s always been done, since it minimizes risk. However, this limits opportunities too.

Disruptive technologies cause relevant, abrupt change which should be the focus of any good Chief Innovation Officer or Chief R&D Officer. Why? Because becoming irrelevant isn’t an option for them or their business.

The following are some of the most powerful reasons to seriously consider ramping up investments in disruptive technologies.

1. First to market advantage – early movers can penetrate new markets and/or displace large competitors in existing ones
2. Improved products and services – better offerings make it easier to attract new customers and keep existing ones
3. Increased economic growth – innovation helps businesses stay at the forefront of their industry to grow and earn more revenue
4. Improved efficiency and productivity – many disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics optimize processes and reduce operating costs
5. Increased resilience – businesses willing to adopt new technologies are more likely to weather changing economic and market conditions.

Potential Disruptive Technologies

The scope of disruptive technologies is broad and diverse. Nonetheless, the World Economic Forum predicts some will definitely change our world within the next few years. We’ve added a few of our own.

Artificial Intelligence

Chatbots and virtual assistants reduce the need for humans to focus on mundane tasks. AI also allows hyperpersonalization for better decisions based on real-time data.

Renewable Energy

Advances in solar, wind, hydro and other sustainable resources have made renewables a practical solution for many businesses. Energy storage technologies have also improved drastically, making reliable clean energy possible.

Quantum Computing

Many businesses are exploring quantum computing as a means to solve complex problems. Examples include cryptography, drug discovery, and simulating real-life scenarios.

Biotechnology and Personalized Medicine Innovations

Personalized medicine and gene editing are two of the most promising disruptive technologies in healthcare. They could potentially cure genetic diseases, improve agriculture, and offer sustainable approaches to bio-manufacturing.

Computational Chemistry

Disruptive technologies have solved specific chemistry problems beforehand to find the most optimal formula quickly. Disruptive technologies also simulate reactions in experimental chemistry, keeping workers safe and saving time and resources.

5G Wireless Technology

5G wireless technology continues to evolve for greater, more diverse user experiences. Businesses can tap into the Internet of Things, augmented reality, virtual reality, and smart technologies for more enhanced connectivity.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing reduces equipment needs, centralizes data, reduces cybercrime, and allows data access regardless of user location.

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology creates stronger, lighter materials that could revolutionize manufacturing, product packaging, and the energy sector.

Big Data

The huge volumes of data collected from devices is now analyzed and dissected by disruptive technologies. This allows businesses to make quicker and more efficient, profitable decisions..

Smart Cities

Information and Communication Technology is rapidly changing how governments approach infrastructure, mobility, and public services. Businesses can unlock countless opportunities and create value by better connecting cities to their citizens.

Streamlining Access to Disruptive Technologies

The Chief Innovation Officer or Chief R&D Officer often has a definite idea of where they want to take their business. However, Identifying appropriate disruptive technologies can be difficult due to scale of the task.

Organisations need a way swiftly identify promising technologies and take them to trail, testing, or implementation. Fortunately, EarlyBirds offers a variety of methods with the following benefits:

• Increased productivity
• Improved operational efficiency
• Enhanced competitiveness
• Connections to the best Subject Matter Experts and innovators available
• Simplified process

EarlyBirds Skill Identification Program

Our skill identification program offers potential solutions to organisation to find and retain the best in the current talent pool.

The program is overseen by veterans in the industry with a high level of credibility and expertise that benefits all parties. It also provides actionable data-driven recommendations fuelled by cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and predictive analytics.

EarlyBirds Innovation Ecosystem

Our award-winning Innovation Ecosystem allows both innovation and strategic thinking in all areas of a business, whatever the technical or business challenge or potential opportunity your organisation wants to explore.

Our Ecosystem has a data pool of over 5.0 million global innovations across many industries with solutions that may already address your organisation’s challenges. Alternatively, organisations can list their challenges and request solutions from innovators.

EarlyBirds Ecosystem Maps

EarlyBirds’ Ecosystem Maps offer strategic value for decision-making. They empower leaders, because they provide a full picture of the possible technological advancements in their domains. This allows leaders to make informed, forward-thinking decisions.

Each Ecosystem Map contains startups, scaleups, and mature companies involved in specific themes and sub-themes so organisations can plot a path towards innovation. The map also tracks numerous daily and historical news and media articles from across the world.

EarlyBirds Explorer Program

The Explorer Program is tailored towards those who need innovation as a service to supplement existing innovation programs, or to conduct innovation projects when required. It is designed to speed up the process of technological innovation for the organisation as a service.

The Explorer Program includes several features including quarterly and monthly innovation days; regular webinars to help stimulate innovation in the organisation; a focus on types of innovations; a platform enterprise license; and a nominated SME for the business.

EarlyBirds Challenger Program

The Challenger Program focuses on a single organisational or technical challenge. It looks for the most relevant innovators that meet your organisational, technical, and risk requirements.

The program is run by an EarlyBirds’ Subject Matter Expert who identifies your key issues. The SME then searches the data pool to identify and curate options for further evaluation. The most suitable option is chosen and the SME drafts a roadmap of next steps, POC, trial, or implementation.

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An astute Chief Innovation Officer or Chief R&D Officer is always on the look out for technologies that hold promise for better products, services, and growth. EarlyBirds encourages you to sign up as an Early Adopter on their platform to explore the possibilities. Alternatively, please request a consultation for a more personalized approach.

Our experience extends to the Food Industry, Retail, Healthcare, Operations & Maintenance, Manufacturing, Finance & Insurance, Energy, Education, Cybersecurity, Sovereign Nations, the Public Sector, and many other areas. We can help you find the technologies and talent you need to face the future.

The post The Future of Innovation: What Disruptive Technologies Mean for Businesses appeared first on EarlyBirds Blog.