❶ Enthusiastic and effective C-level and leadership support is a critical key driver of success of an innovation function. The Top Management Team must lead innovation in an inspiring, entrepreneurial and supporting way.

❷ Strategic focus and strategic alignment are highly important to success of an innovation functions. The new product vision and innovation strategy must be aligned with the strategic intent of the company, well developed, integrated into the broad corporate strategy, and clearly articulated. Companies with integrated strategies share organizational elements across the innovation portfolio.

❸ Innovation functions that have complete A-Z/360 responsibility for their value chains ‒ ideas, proof of concept, beta-testing, launch, and scaling ‒ are more effective at meeting objectives and achieving in-market successes.

❹ Innovation functions linked to talent hubs and/or target markets have more market success and meet their objectives more effectively. Co-innovation with customers and suppliers increases chances for success. Entrepreneurial simulation games, like InnoBall (Innovation Brainball), help empowered cross-functional innovation teams achieve far more and beyond their initial aspirations.