《《The World Bank#39;s Innovation Market》.pdf

The World Bank’s Innovation Market by Robert Chapman Wood and Gary Hamel Reprint r0211h B E ST P R A C T I C E The World Bank’s Innovation Market by Robert Chapman Wood and Gary Hamel Whether you’re fighting global poverty or launching new products, you need to build a pipeline of smart, practical ideas. Here’s how the World Bank did it. he atrium at the World Bank’s of the world’s most intractable prob- headquarters soars 12 stories lems. The event was, many felt, nothing Tabove H Street NW in down- short of a miracle. town Washington, DC. Ordinarily, a At the culmination of this, the Bank’s walker’s footsteps echo through it, first Development Marketplace,44 teams and the sheer vastness of the hall can from around the world received inno- be overwhelming. But on February 9, vation grants. As the winners were an- 2000, the entire area crackled with nounced, a South African team broke excitement. Crowding in and around into a celebratory dance. Their chant- 270 cramped booths were more than ing rang through the atrium, imparting 700 people, each intent on pitching to the event a spirit quite unlike that of