Competitive and thriving technology PDF

I. PERFACE
To survive and thrive in today's competitive and thriving technology, companies must constantly innovate
to make a difference. And one of the companies at the forefront of that innovation is Unilever.
This report will help everyone see how Unilever innovates in business, working environment, and
production.
The report will begin with information about Unielver. Next are the definitions of innovation. The
difference between invention and innovation will be analyzed in part IV. The importance of innovation
with Unilever will be clearly analyzed in part V with specific examples. Part VI is vision, leadership,
organizational culture and teamwork in unilever. The following will be recommendations to promote
Unilever to develop and renew the working environment and culture. Part VIII will explain 4P's of
innovation and innovation funnels. And part IX is going to introduce the frugal innovation of unilever.
Finally, there are the roles and benefits that the frugal innovation brings to Unilever.
II. COMPANY INTRODUCTION
Picture 1: Logo of Unileverby CafeBiz
Unilever is a multinational company founded on September 2nd 1929 with the combination of Lever
Brothers (the soap maker in the UK) and Margarine Unie (a Dutch food butter manufacturer). Currently,
Unilever has two headquarters in the UK city of London and the Dutch city of Rotterdam.
Unilever is a world-famous brand in the field of manufacturing fast-moving consumer products,
including personal and home hygiene products, food, tea and tea drinks, and products sold in more than
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190 countries. Unilever's food, home and personal care brand is trusted by consumers around the world -
the average consumer buys 170 billion packages of Unilever products each year.
Unilever's typical brands are widely consumed and accepted worldwide such as Lipton, Knorr, Cornetto,
Omo, Lux, Vim, Lifebuoy, Dove, Close-Up, Sunsilk, Clear, Pond's, Hazeline, Vaseline, etcs. With sales of
over millions of dollars per brand, it is proving that Unilever is one of the most successful companies in
the world in the consumer healthcare business.
III. INNOVATION AND SOURCES OF INNOVATION
Innovation is the process of taking an idea from a concept and turning it into a new or improved product,
service or process that creates value for the end user. (Ian Graham)
An innovation is the implementation of a new or significantly improved product (good or service), or
process, a new marketing method, or a new organisational method in business practices, workplace
organisation or external relations. (Albert Meige, 2009)
Innovation is the development and application of ideas that improve the way things are done or what can
be achieved. Innovation may result in new products or services, new or improved business processes,
changes in the way your products are marketed or the introduction of new technology. (Small Business)
Innovation can be an introduction or development of a new product, process, technology, service or
improving/redesigning the existing ones that provide solutions to the current market requirements. All the
processes that help in the generation of the new idea and translating it into the products demanded by the
customers are covered under innovation. (Surbhi S, 2017)
IV. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INVENTION AND INNOVATION
Differences Invention Innovation
Mean Invention is the creation of new
products, processes, and technologies
not previously known to exist.
Innovation is the transformation of
creative ideas into useful application
by combining resources in new ways
to provide value to society through
improved products, technology or
services.
The invention is related to the
creation of new products.
Innovation means adding value or
making a change in the existing
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product.
Concept Come up with a new idea and how it
works in theory.
Innovation will implement a new idea
in reality.
Skills required Invention requires science skills Innovation requires marketing,
technical, and strategic skills.
The invention occurs when a new
idea strikes a scientist.
Innovation arises when a need realized
for a new product or improvisation in
the existing product.
The invention is concerned with a
single product or process.
Focuses on the combination of various
products, services and processes.
Implementation
department
The R & D department. Spread across the organization.
V. THE IMPORTANCE OF INNOVATION FOR UNILEVER
The following two Unilever innovation examples will clearly analyze the importance of innovation for
the company.
1. Project 'Clean clothes, less water'
Picture 2: Surf Excel Quick Wash by Unilever, 2017
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The source of this innovation is being studied in 2017 to help Indians save water and still wash their
clothes. In India, Unilever's Surf Excel laundry detergent is mainly used for hand washing. When
washing clothes by hand, it usually takes more time and water to wash off the bubbles than washing by
machine. Unilever could then add some anti-foaming ingredients to make the foam cleaner faster, but
according to a company survey, consumers prefer to have foam when washed because it is a sign that
clothes are being cleaned.
So Unilever started research to find the right ingredient that does not prevent foaming during washing but
will reduce foam faster during rinsing. After a period of research and testing, Surf Excel Quick Wash
launches with good foaming function when washing and faster foam reduction when draining - saving 2
buckets of water on average per wash.
Unilever introduced Surf Excel Quick Wash with an advertising campaign to promote the message that
consumers can wash clothes cleaner and still save water.
Surf Excel Quick Wash is always in the top 3 best-selling detergents in India and for 2 consecutive years
2019, 2020 Surf Excel Quick Wash is the best-selling detergent in this billion-dollar country.
Since the launch of Surf Excel Quick Wash, the revenue of Unilever's detergent portfolio in the Indian
market has increased significantly, helping the company's brand value soar in recent years.
2. Project ‘Digital Transformation Factory’
Picture 3: Digital Transformationby Natasha Spencer
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