A1 Comms Ltd: Innovation Strategies and Analysis Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of innovation strategies for A1 Comms Ltd, a telecommunications company. It begins by defining innovation and its importance to employees, examining vision, leadership, culture, and teamwork's role in shaping innovation. The report then delves into the 4Ps of innovation, the use of the innovation funnel, and the development of frugal innovation within the company. It explores the importance of the commercial funnel, new product development, and building an innovation case for A1 Comms Ltd, including accessing funds. Finally, the report discusses different tools for developing, retaining, and protecting intellectual property, drawing on case studies of Apple Inc. and the Virgin Group to illustrate key concepts and strategies. The report is a valuable resource for understanding and implementing effective innovation practices in the telecom sector.

INNOVATION

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Define innovation and its importance to employees of A1 Comms Ltd................................1
P2 Vision, leadership, culture and teamwork can shaping innovation.......................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
P3 Innovation 4Ps and the use of innovation funnel for shaping ideas in employees................4
P4 Explaining the process of developing frugal innovation in A1 Comms................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
P5 Importance of commercial funnel and the application of New Product Development..........6
P6 Innovation building case for A1 comms Ltd including way of access fund..........................7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
P7 Different tools for developing, retaining and protecting intellectual property......................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Innovation is a term which is considered to be very essential in current business
organization scenario. It refers to implement new idea, plan and strategy which has never been
created by anyone. It is an activity in which an organisation alter some products or services
which attracts more customers. Innovation means an idea, thought and methods which is used
during this process. This provides business a competitive advantage over rivals and assist in
earning more customers as well as market share. Innovation is basically used to modify all old
products with new design, size and colour (Ariga and et. al., 2013). A1 Comms Ltd is a
innovative company, which has been listed in most innovative firm of telecom sector in UK. The
firm need to highlight some issues or problems in this field. And the case study of Apple Inc. and
virgin group is used to stated that how they deal with some type of issues.
TASK 1
P1 Define innovation and its importance to employees of A1 Comms Ltd
Innovation is an important part of every organisation which assist in enhancing company
growth and development. It helps in increasing differentiation of firm and its goods from its
competitor. It also aid organisation in increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of procedures
while enhancing quality of goods or services and fulfilling customers demands. Innovation
includes some activities such as modification, alteration, imagination of new design of products
or services and thought innovative ideas.
Some workers get confused inside organisation between two terms invention and creation
(Berrone and et. al., 2013). These are totally different from each other and also used in various
conditions and situations. The difference between innovation and invention are as under:
Basis Innovation Invention
Definition It is an act in which an individual
executes idea which has never been
used before. If a person modifies
products or services in different
manner it will also be considered as
innovation.
It is an activity in which a person
develops new idea and something
creative that has not been used
before.
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Skill needed An individual should have excellent
knowledge of his field.
A person is required to have good
scientific skill and knowledge.
Works Basically they can implement and
modify the products according to the
trends.
An individual develop creative
things which is made for the first
time.
A1 Comms Ltd is operating firm of telecom sector which has face tough competition
with big companies. There are many new entrance in the market who need huge capital
investment to start a business and they also face many threats during organisation the
productivity and profitability. It is important for the company to adopt innovative approach for
fasting growth and develop in effective manner. Apple Inc. is one of the best example while
using innovative ideas in the various markets (Breznitz and Murphree, 2011). They developed I-
pod which was small in size and it can stores more than 1000 songs in it. This is new product of
innovation which can change the concept of Walkman. They use large and heavy equipments
which is difficult to manage by people. But I-pod modify the scenario of the industries. The
small change in Apple Inc. was assist in achieving advantages of competition in market and build
strong image in the mind of customers.
Here are some benefits of innovation to A1 Comms and its workers such as:
For employees
1. It assist in gaining new skill and knowledge which boost career development.
2. It enhances employees level of critical thinking process and address issues.
3. It helps in improving effectiveness and efficiency level of workers
For organisation
1. Assist in improving customers satisfaction and fulfil their demand or needs
2. It aids in increasing profitability ratio
3. Developing new image in the mind of buyers which is necessary for company
These are some benefits of innovation which is supported by management and
organisation. A1 Comms Ltd needs to ensure that all activities or functions which are conducted
in a company which should be developed in creative and innovative way (Innovation and
invention 2017). It assist in achieving goals and objectives in the market.
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P2 Vision, leadership, culture and teamwork can shaping innovation
Innovation is required to be coordinated into basic business process for better outcome.
Company use it as a tool that will aid in achieving all long term goals. It is the duty of managers
and leaders to guide their employees for using innovative measures, and also address issues or
problems. There is huge need of combining abilities and capabilities of employees and push
them to complete their task in more improved and efficient manner (Dahlander and Gann,
2010). This activity is supervised by manager himself and he will identify employees skills and
knowledge. Company requires to develop a vision, mission, with correct leadership culture in
which team work is encouraged. There are certain elements which play important role in
defining innovation within company.
1. Vision- This is long term goal which describes an idea that will provides growth and
development. It is a target that describes position where company wants to see itself in
future. The firm vision is very simple “ Achieving the top place in telecommunication
sector by providing efficient and innovative solution”. The aim of organisation is to
improve connectivity in the United Kingdom.
2. Mission- The mission is short term goal which assist in achieving target objectives
(Innovation 2017). The firm need to achieve goals as to reach its vision statement.
3. Culture- If an organisations working environment are suitable for employees, than they
will complete each task in effective manner. Company needs to make comfortable
environment within an organisation, which helps in satisfying their workers and they will
give their best. It assist in providing better outcome from the employees.
4. Leadership- Leading is quality which guide employees for achieving goals and
objectives for the organisation (Dechezleprêtre and et. al., 2011). The managers use
creative and innovative approach for solving different issues or problems. It is a skill
which help in increasing productivity and efficiency of person so that they are motivated
to do work.
5. Teamwork- It is important for boosting overall company work and efficiency. It helps in
enhancing coordination between employees and organisation. This also increase idea
sharing concept which leads to motivate and encourage workers. Apple Inc. assign
different teams which help in fulfilling necessary work when they did not achieve task,
and they motivated towards achieving all targets goals in effective manner.
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A1 Comms Ltd has to develop a proper plan and structure according to which all workers
will be guided by managers for making innovative process. It assist in innovating new products
or designs which provides growth and development. Company should maintain environment in
which their workers perform best work.
TASK 2
P3 Innovation 4Ps and the use of innovation funnel for shaping ideas in employees
The aim of organisation is to use innovation while highlighting various issues or
problems. The innovation funnel states about the entire procedures that has to be followed so
they requires to increase creativity within an enterprise (Drucker, 2014). Some researchers have
conducted research and then analyse their work, it can be known as innovation funnel which is
used for transforming concepts and creativity into practical event. It assist in describing direction
which has to be followed by person to innovate are as under:
4Ps of innovation
 Products- It is important concept of innovation process. Product is set contribution of an
enterprise that is prepared after gathering data or information respected various variables
of market and capability of company. A1 Comms Ltd is known for supply packages and
items which is extremely competitive and even beats the rivals in its sectors. This is way
of differentiate company from their competitors. If they adopt innovation like Apple Inc.,
they will gain advantage of competition from its competitors.
 Process- Invention and innovation is not simple concepts, it takes time to attracts
customers towards them. It reduces cost of activity and increase efficiency of firm
(Edquist, 2010). Apple Inc. innovation process is very lengthy which was assisted by
team working and the outcome was I-pod which were small in size and better than other
Walkman in market. Workers needs to performed better for achieving goals and
objectives.
 Positioning- A1 Comms Ltd has to learn from their competitors who established business
by using innovative approach and strategy. They need to learn how place products in the
mind of customers and satisfy their demand or wants. Telecom sector have high growth
rate but it is one of the most changeable market.
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 Paradigm- Company requires to consider all aspect and factor which used in developing
innovation activity. A complete analysis is needed for making plans for combining
creation into business process of organisation.
A1 Comms sells tangible products and intangible services which attracts potential
customers. Mangers have to guide their employees for developing new products or services that
enhance growth and productivity of organisation (Kerr and Lincoln, 2010). It assist organisation
in lowering cost and increase efficiency in higher level.
P4 Explaining the process of developing frugal innovation in A1 Comms
Innovation process has to design products that assist company in achieving accurate level
of effectively and effectiveness. Frugal innovation is a procedure that help managers in reducing
cost of production and complexities. All important characteristic and cost are identified and
existing gaps are addressed. Complete innovation process is based on abilities or capabilities of
organisation and serve to different types of customers. Budgeting also requires to prepare ability
of company so that actual needs can be targeted and potential buyers converted into actual
buyers. If a firm initiate each and every step for fulfilling demand then it will boost efficiency in
higher level. There are some things which company managers required to know:
 Managers should identify people who have capability and have an ability to lead the team
members within an organisation. An employee need to achieve all target goals of the
company.
 The complete knowledge of innovation process which assist in guiding all workers for
reaching accurate plans and policies.
In this case study, Apple Inc. and virgin group used their resources in limited manner
which assist in enhancing the abilities and skill to achieve desired goals and objectives in
effective way (Kerr, 2010). The firm presented Frugal innovation as to determine different
functions which are add to the cost of company. There are various types of activities which assist
in minimising time consumption. Apple Inc. was able to understand consumer needs and demand
in a proper way so that they minimise middle person who were consuming finance and resources
while market data was not achieving in a effective manner. It help employees to mention their
issues and problems which reduces satisfaction level within an organisation.
There are some benefits of developing frugal innovation. It has certain procedures which
is simple and easy to understand:
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 Opportunities can be identified by management of company which assist in finding out
best ways that gain more profits.
 The organisation should find out issues which present within it. This strategies will
reduces difference between firm and company.
 They should update plans and policies which can be implemented within an enterprise.
 The supportive function should be added which have not limited resources.
 To monitoring and followed will be done for analysing the gap tat might present after
replanning.
 The managers should analyse capabilities and abilities which identify level of skill of
employees of company (Lundvall, 2010). It will provide information respected
productivity level of firm and its employees.
 Replanning will be adopted and all prime changes will be added into strategy. It will
allow company for achieving desired goals and objectives.
This activity will help A1 Comms Ltd. In reducing all types of non important elements
which is increase the cost of function and process. It will definitely boost organisation
productivity and profitability.
TASK 3
P5 Importance of commercial funnel and the application of New Product Development
Commercial funnel refers to the various researchers in different manner. The composed
form of definition is simple and clear, “ the commercial funnel refers to a process that leads to
transformation of potential consumers into actual end users of firm's goods and services”. On the
other side new product development is a process that assist managers in developing new products
which satisfy customers needs and wants in the market. The procedure of designing and
production of products that has to be done in proper way which assist in gaining advantage of
competitive market.
A1 Comms has plan to undertake various sectors and diversify it and reduce risk. Apple
Inc. changed the scenario of music industry. Recently, organisation is only provide services to
the enterprise house but they need to plan some qualitative services to the colleagues and
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households. They required to identify barriers and errors that arises and change according to the
market. The company need to update whole process which are as follows:
(Source: New Product Development, 2017)
As described in above image, new product development is a process which has carefully
implement they consume large investment and if they does not managed innovation then they
will lead to failure. A1 Comms will analyse the whole market and properly enter into new
market (Nielsen and et. al., 2010). Also it will provide products or services at reasonable price to
consumer base. Company can use 4Ps of marketing to manage all resources in an effective
manner.
P6 Innovation building case for A1 comms Ltd including way of access fund
Company managers need to build case which assist in establishing objectives and aim of
functions that includes investing time, capital of company into project which will give high level
of returns putting resources into a non primary activity. It is the basic concept which is used for
establishing new product for firm. There are some steps which should be followed by cited
company:
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Illustration 1: New product development, 2017

 Collecting inputs- Managers have to gather data or information for assisting other
organisation activities in an effective manner so it can easily be analysed.
 Analysis- the collected information should be analysed and implement it into proper way
within an enterprise.
 Stating the conclusion- This is that stage in which business operations are developed
and declared in front of top management and take decisions.
 Understand the objectives- A firm needs to understand goals and objectives which is
necessary for the growth of the company.
A case study of Apple Inc. and virgin group used this case for developing different types
of investors (Reed, Storrud-Barnes and Jessup, 2012). A1 Comms can use this in proper way.
The two type of investors which will help organization in supplying finance:
 Business investors- They are those persons who invest huge amount of capital in market.
If they find best opportunities then they will invest money in it.
 Enterprise capital firms- These firms issue shares in return of investment. They supply
large amount of investment but also they need same
TASK 4
P7 Different tools for developing, retaining and protecting intellectual property
Intellectual property provides rights to its owner to adopt new ideas, thoughts and non-
physical assets. Any person can not get permission from its proprietor. An individual creates new
or unique idea within an organisation (Williams, 2013). There are various types of intangible
properties such as:
 Patent
 Copyright
 Trademark
 Innovation rights
 Trade secret
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A1 comms Ltd is a firm which always deals in telecom sector for which it is essential to
hold these property rights in secured manner so no one can take benefits by using it (Stokes,
2011). There are some fake person who are take unnecessary advantage without taking
permission of real owner of the property. The assets provides different types of benefits for an
organisation which assist in achieving competitive advantages over rivals and develop different
products or services from its competitors.
There are various types of legal laws in UK which main purpose is to protect these
properties from fake people. A1 comms Ltd should employ those individual who have proper
knowledge and skill to manage these property rights in secured manner.
There are various types of intangible property rights which are as under:
 Copyrights- It is that property rights which is governed by Copyright act 1988 that
provides accurate right to the real owner of its original work. Basically rights have some
limited period of time and after completion of this period, owner has to renew its
property. If any person wants to use it then they will take permission from its original
owner by paying royalty to them (Teece, 2010). It is seen in the case of books, articles
etc.
 Patent- If an person invent new innovative thing in the market then he will have right to
sell it. It will governed by Patent Act. If patent holder can registered it then no one can
use its rights without taking permission.
 Trademark- A trademark is the identification of sign, designing or aspect which assist
an individual for verifying various products or services. The owner of trademark may be
an individual, organisation and legal enterprise. It is located on some label, package and
voucher on products itself (Tebbe, 2011). This is also display on company building. It
help in identifying brand owner of specific product or services.
 Trade secret- It is design, activity, process, pattern and methods which can attain
advantages of competitive market over its competitors. It refers to confidential
information or data.
CONCLUSION
As per the above mentioned report can be conclude that innovation is an important part of
every organisation which assist in growing company in faster way. Its importance to provides
advantage of competitive over its competitors. It is the duty of managers and leaders to guide
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their employees for using innovative measures, and also address issues or problems. The
innovation funnel states about the entire procedures that has to be followed so they requires to
increase creativity within an enterprise. Frugal innovation is a procedure that help managers in
reducing cost of production and complexities. new product development is a process that assist
managers in developing new products which satisfy customers needs and wants in the market.
There are four 4Ps of innovation that includes product, process, positioning and paradigm
which assist in increasing growth. Any person can not get permission from its proprietor. An
individual creates new or unique idea within an organisation. There are various types of legal
laws in UK which main purpose is to protect these properties from fake people. It includes
various types of intangible properties such as patent, trademark, copyright and trade secrets.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Ariga, K. and et. al., 2013. Layer-by-layer nanoarchitectonics: invention, innovation, and
evolution. Chemistry Letters. 43(1). pp.36-68.
Berrone, P. and et. al., 2013. Necessity as the mother of ‘green’inventions: Institutional pressures
and environmental innovations. Strategic Management Journal. 34(8). pp.891-909.
Breznitz, D. and Murphree, M., 2011. Run of the red queen: Government, innovation,
globalization, and economic growth in China. Yale University Press.
Dahlander, L. and Gann, D. M., 2010. How open is innovation?. Research policy. 39(6). pp.699-
709.
Dechezleprêtre, A. and et. al., 2011. Invention and transfer of climate change–mitigation
technologies: a global analysis. Review of environmental economics and policy. 5(1).
pp.109-130.
Drucker, P., 2014. Innovation and entrepreneurship. Routledge.
Edquist, C., 2010. Systems of innovation perspectives and challenges. African Journal of
Science, Technology, Innovation and Development. 2(3). pp.14-45.
Kerr, W. R. and Lincoln, W. F., 2010. The supply side of innovation: H-1B visa reforms and US
ethnic invention. Journal of Labor Economics. 28(3). pp.473-508.
Kerr, W. R., 2010. Breakthrough inventions and migrating clusters of innovation. Journal of
urban Economics. 67(1). pp.46-60.
Lundvall, B. Å. ed., 2010. National systems of innovation: Toward a theory of innovation and
interactive learning (Vol. 2). Anthem Press.
Nielsen, T.D. And et. al., 2010. Business, market and intellectual property analysis of polymer
solar cells. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells. 94(10). pp.1553-1571.
Reed, R., Storrud-Barnes, S. and Jessup, L., 2012. How open innovation affects the drivers of
competitive advantage: Trading the benefits of IP creation and ownership for free
invention. Management Decision. 50(1). pp.58-73.
Stokes, D. E., 2011. Pasteur's quadrant: Basic science and technological innovation. Brookings
Institution Press.
Tebbe, J., 2011. Where good ideas come from: The natural history of innovation.
Teece, D. J., 2010. Business models, business strategy and innovation. Long range
planning. 43(2). pp.172-194.
Williams, H. L., 2013. Intellectual property rights and innovation: Evidence from the human
genome. Journal of Political Economy. 121(1). pp.1-27.
Online
Innovation 2017. [Online]. Available Through: <http://www.victoria.ac.nz/explore/postgraduate-
programmes/master-of-innovation-and-commercialisation/about> . [Accesses On 22nd
September 2017].
Innovation and invention 2017. [Online]. Available Through:
<http://keydifferences.com/difference-between-invention-and-innovation.html> .
[Accesses On 22nd September 2017].
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