100 Great Business Ideas: From Leading Companies Around the World (100 Great Ideas)

100 GREAT BUSINESS IDEAS • 175

Commenting on Nokia’s “thinking process,” CEO Jorma Ollila
noted:

Of cou rse, we get masses of infor mat ion, but what is impor t ant

is that we discuss it a lot among ourselves, kicking it around,

looking at it from different perspectives. It is a collective

learning process and the key point is whom we should discuss

a new piece of information with, to augment it and give it more

meaning than it had originally. Then, we make some choices,

try them out, listen to the feedback and redirect as needed.

With this collective learning process we are all on the same

wavelength and we can act very fast when needed.

Nokia has certainly suffered its share of setbacks, but to successfully
make a journey from near disaster to world domination in less than
ten years shows a sustained fl exibility and desire to learn at all levels.
Clearly this is vital for a business in an industry as new and fast
moving as cellphone technology, but the Nokia approach—applied
throughout the business—highlights the value of moving from
information to knowledge.

In practice

• Capture, disseminate, share, analyze, and discuss information
  and insights.


• Hold regular discussion groups consisting of people working at
  all levels inside the company as well as external experts.


• Discuss the signifi cance of developments in the market, as well
  as possible future trends and scenarios.


• If it is decided that the company should bring in new policies or
  move in a different direction, then brainstorm the workability
  and practicality of these changes. Decide who will implement
  them, and how.