One of the hottest jobs in the C-suite these days is the chief innovation officer, or CINO. Twenty years ago this position was virtually unheard of, but by 2017, 29% of Fortune 500 companies had a senior innovation executive, a study by Egon Zehnder shows. Because the role is relatively new, however, a standard definition of it has yet to emerge. The job’s responsibilities vary a lot, depending upon the company, the business challenges, and the backgrounds of the people filling the roles. Those people include everyone from seasoned executives to one-time academics, star inventors, former investment bankers, creative heads, and founders of start-ups.
What Kind of Chief Innovation Officer Does Your Company Need?
Understanding one of the latest additions to the C-suite.
November 11, 2019
Summary.
To keep up with the pressure for new and improved offerings, creative advances, and inventive business models, more and more companies are hiring chief innovation officers. But the job varies a great deal among firms and is often filled by people from wildly different backgrounds. That can make hiring a CINO tricky. You need to figure out what kind of innovation your firm needs and what kind of person could best produce it. To help you do that, the authors have created detailed profiles of the six main types of CINOs, drawing on their experiences recruiting executives and advising companies on innovation.
New!
HBR Learning
Innovation and Creativity Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Innovation and Creativity. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Unlock your team's curiosity and willingness to take smart risks.
Learn More & See All Courses
New!
HBR Learning
Innovation and Creativity Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Innovation and Creativity. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Unlock your team's curiosity and willingness to take smart risks.