50 plus one percent of Kenyans consider themselves innovators

 

NAIROBI, KENYA: Doing business in the global economy has become far more challenging than ever. Start-ups can generate ideas to disrupt markets and compete for customers against enterprises, whilst the brick-and-mortar store down the road now finds itself competing against international retailers who can ship products to customers quicker and for less money than these companies are able to. Moreover, customers are more informed and thanks to mobile technology, the internet, and social networks are now empowered with the ability to make or break brands through viral service and customer experience feedback. 

A big part of surviving and even thriving in this challenging operating environment is the ability of businesses to innovate: To come up with new ideas that will keep operations, products and services fresh and distinguishes your company from its rivals by offering a unique value proposition or benefits for both existing and prospective customers. But what is the state of innovation in Kenya? Do Kenyans see themselves as innovative and what do they deem to be their barriers to utilising their creativity to the benefit of their companies?

These questions formed the basis of the recently released Philips Innovation Research study for Kenya, in which Philips asked people across Kenya about their perceptions of innovation, the barriers to innovation, and areas where successful innovation can improve communities and lives.

According to this study: Fifty four per cent (54 percent) of Kenyans consider themselves to be innovators, Thirty four per cent (34 percent) of them expressed that they are not reliant on others to create solutions, Fifty nine (59 percent) of Kenyans are confident that their idea will be the next big thing in their industry.

Roadblocks to innovation and detours around issues

Given that such a high percentage of respondents view themselves as innovative, Philips wanted to highlight the barriers to innovation for Kenyans. The biggest of these is lack of capital; eighty three per cent (83percent) of respondents indicated lack of money as a key barrier to innovation, thirty four per cent (34percent) highlighted government regulations and twenty-six per cent (26percent) mentioned an unsupportive corporate culture as a hindrance to innovation.

On the flip side of the innovation coin, namely solutions to help achieve innovation, government and corporate inducements (in form of incentives and funding) are perceived as the topmost solutions to break the current status quo. Non-financial support could include mentorship programmes and creation of innovation hubs.

Sixty one per cent (61 percent) of the respondents recognised government incentives as an effective solution to the barriers, while fifty nine per cent (59 percent) of the correspondent indicated that financial support from big companies would be ideal; they also indicated that the prevailing corporate culture should be changed so as to support creative thinkers. That culture of support is vital since corporate culture can either stifle or encourage innovation. It is important to note that engaged employees are often far more creative and willing to accept innovative ideas from creative thinkers.

What kind of innovation is required locally?

Majority of Kenyans identified Healthcare (eighty five percent – 85 percent) and Education (seventy per cent – 70 percent) as areas of opportunity in innovation and where the most beneficial results would be seen. These two sectors are priorities at both personal and community levels.

Forty-nine point seven per cent (49.7percent) mentioned public transportation and infrastructure as a sector that could benefit from innovation.

Seventy-three point seven per cent (73.7 percent) participants believe innovation should improve one’s life and the lives of others with forty point three per cent (40.3 percent) believing it should make daily life easier and more efficient.