Interview with Dan Toma – Driving Sustainable Innovation

Dan Toma, author of "Working On It" and "Innovation Accounting," delves into the concept of sustainable innovation. He emphasizes that sustainable innovation requires considering a broader range of stakeholders, including the environment and society, beyond the immediate organizational interests. He highlights the importance of an integrated innovation system composed of strategy, process, governance, leadership, and culture for successful sustainable initiatives.

Toma points out that many companies have failed to innovate over the past decade and suggests that without a proper foundation for innovation, simply adding an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) layer will not lead to genuine sustainability efforts. He also discusses the role of startups in accelerating innovation through partnerships and his upcoming work on open innovation, titled "Open Innovation Works," which aims to provide practical insights and data-driven solutions for organizations looking to enhance their innovation capabilities.

He concludes by noting his skepticism about the sincerity of some companies' ESG initiatives, fearing a potential rise of 'ESG theater,' but remains optimistic about the positive impact genuine sustainable innovators will have.

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All interviews

These are the book contributors we interviewed to explore what leaders can do to drive and change their organizations through the lens of sustainability and innovation.

You can watch all interviews on the book playlist on Youtube.