We’re good at coming up with brilliant ideas in Europe, but terrible at bringing them to market, writes Ben Verwaayen, the chief executive of BT.
Why is this? One of the questions we ask ourselves constantly at BT is: how do we turn innovation into value? How do we turn great ideas into great services?

I asked a room full of recent graduates: what is the greatest obstacle to getting your ideas heard? And one 25-year old at the back of the room put up his hand and said “you”.

“You don’t understand what is going on in my head and you don’t understand what I’m saying when I try to tell you.”

Innovation is an attitude. As a CEO you need to allow people, young and old, room to speak their ideas. The status quo stifles innovation.

There is no lack of people with ideas, but there is a lack of access to the people who have the resources to put them into action.

–Ben Verwaayen
Chief Executive, BT Group
Read a session summary on innovation