Operational innovation, source of competitive advantage

Operational innovation -not just continuous improvement- is about creating completely new ways of operating. It has been central to some of business's greatest success stories, like Dell, Toyota or Zara. Operational innovation is a relatively reliable and low risk source of competitive advantage, and it is needed now more than ever, as the competitive game increasingly must be played on the field of operations. Achieving great operational innovations, however, is less about investments in technology and other means than about overcoming mental and cultural barriers in our companies.