Human connections
The importance of “human capital” as the true foundation for success in all businesses
Human connections and bonds the foundation of everything – even the most innovative and technological of businesses. The sharing of ideas, models and strategies driven not by digital connectivity, but from interpersonal relationships.
These are the assumptions underlying the new book “Innovationship. L’innovazione guidata dal capitale relazionale” (Innovationship. Innovation driven by relational capital) by Benedetto Buono and Federico Frattini.
Humanity must come first, then. Since we’re accustomed to believing that the fundamental ingredients for successful innovation are two: financial capital and technological capital. In reality, today these resources are widely available and accessible. To succeed in standing out – the plausible thesis of Buono and Frattini runs – the added value must be sought elsewhere, for example in the relational capital of those who lead and govern innovation,
in thought and in relationships. According to the two authors, this is the secret ingredient that can speed up all the typical phases of the production process and make them more efficient.
However it’s very easy to say, but complex to achieve in reality. It requires strategy and clear ideas, as well as replicable and structured work models and schemes. Which is where this book comes in, which is presented in narrative form – rather than as a simple “manual” – even if the text is accompanied by tools and models for practical use. The authors put forward three basic steps: the construction, activation, and use of relational capital for innovation. The first step must be done over time and requires the relationships initiated to be continuously nourished. The authors explain that it is not enough to build relationships; they must be managed and maintained as time goes on. Once the relational capital for innovative purposes has been built, it needs to be activated, forming a tight-knit core of people connected by solid and lasting personal and professional social relationships. Then comes the utilisation of capital: this too is a step to be nurtured and developed over time.
Finally, Buono and Frattini also identify the figure of the “superconnector”, a professional capable of giving access to large relational pools, which may even very different to our own or highly internally diversified.
“In conclusion,” the authors comment, “this book talks about incredibly simple concepts, but as always happens when dealing with something simple, they are very powerful. Understanding that relational capital has the same importance as the other types of resources available to a company, that it is the fundamental asset to design and implement a true open innovation strategy, and that, above all, there is a replicable model to achieve this goal and ways to approach it strategically, is the key to everything.” This is a must-read book from Buono and Frattini.
Innovationship. L’innovazione guidata dal capitale relazionale
Benedetto Buono, Federico Frattini
Egea, 2023
The importance of “human capital” as the true foundation for success in all businesses
Human connections and bonds the foundation of everything – even the most innovative and technological of businesses. The sharing of ideas, models and strategies driven not by digital connectivity, but from interpersonal relationships.
These are the assumptions underlying the new book “Innovationship. L’innovazione guidata dal capitale relazionale” (Innovationship. Innovation driven by relational capital) by Benedetto Buono and Federico Frattini.
Humanity must come first, then. Since we’re accustomed to believing that the fundamental ingredients for successful innovation are two: financial capital and technological capital. In reality, today these resources are widely available and accessible. To succeed in standing out – the plausible thesis of Buono and Frattini runs – the added value must be sought elsewhere, for example in the relational capital of those who lead and govern innovation,
in thought and in relationships. According to the two authors, this is the secret ingredient that can speed up all the typical phases of the production process and make them more efficient.
However it’s very easy to say, but complex to achieve in reality. It requires strategy and clear ideas, as well as replicable and structured work models and schemes. Which is where this book comes in, which is presented in narrative form – rather than as a simple “manual” – even if the text is accompanied by tools and models for practical use. The authors put forward three basic steps: the construction, activation, and use of relational capital for innovation. The first step must be done over time and requires the relationships initiated to be continuously nourished. The authors explain that it is not enough to build relationships; they must be managed and maintained as time goes on. Once the relational capital for innovative purposes has been built, it needs to be activated, forming a tight-knit core of people connected by solid and lasting personal and professional social relationships. Then comes the utilisation of capital: this too is a step to be nurtured and developed over time.
Finally, Buono and Frattini also identify the figure of the “superconnector”, a professional capable of giving access to large relational pools, which may even very different to our own or highly internally diversified.
“In conclusion,” the authors comment, “this book talks about incredibly simple concepts, but as always happens when dealing with something simple, they are very powerful. Understanding that relational capital has the same importance as the other types of resources available to a company, that it is the fundamental asset to design and implement a true open innovation strategy, and that, above all, there is a replicable model to achieve this goal and ways to approach it strategically, is the key to everything.” This is a must-read book from Buono and Frattini.
Innovationship. L’innovazione guidata dal capitale relazionale
Benedetto Buono, Federico Frattini
Egea, 2023