Written by: Natalie Turner, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
What distinct perspectives do women bring to the innovation landscape? This question was posed before an International Women's Day webinar last week.
Women in Innovation Webinar – Sip and Forge Inclusive Innovation
Standing in my kitchen, I pondered this as I prepared to be a speaker on the panel hosted by hype Innovation. A friend recently introduced me to Yuka, an app that allows you to scan barcodes of food and cosmetic products to discover their ingredients. And what a discovery it has been! I count myself as a conscious consumer and buy, or at least I thought, predominantly healthy products – cosmetics and food. So, here I was, surrounded by shelves stocked with promises of nutrition and sustainability, about to embark on a journey to see how healthy my choices were. I scanned each item one by one, and I must say some of the findings both surprised and horrified me. What I consider my love brands – many promoting themselves as leaders in sustainability and positive human impact – rated poor or bad on Yuka! Since then, I have been scanning everything I buy in the supermarket, even in the organic sections, and my buying behaviour has pretty much changed overnight.
Why didn’t I know about this app before? Over 40 million people use it to help them navigate the murky waters of product ingredients to reveal the truth about their consumption. It is completely independent, and it doesn’t even cost a penny.
But what does this have to do with women and their perspectives on the innovation landscape? Women are powerhouses of consumption and influence. We determine most of what we buy for our homes, families, and children. Each scan I made in the supermarket felt like a vote for the future, a stand against the obscurity veiling consumer goods. This was more than just an eye-opening experience; it was a revelation of the power vested in our hands as consumers and, predominantly, as women. In those moments, scanning barcodes amidst the aisles, I wasn't just a shopper; I was a guardian of my family's health and a steward of the earth!
It's 2024, and so many things we're creating and innovating are still not good for us as individuals or the planet. We can’t be ignorant anymore. We must close the divide between what we're creating and consuming, and women have a massive role and perspective to lead the charge on this. With every step in design, production, and R&D, women carry the potential to infuse a holistic and empathetic approach into the very fabric of innovation. Our presence in these realms offers not just a sprinkle of feminine intuition but a storm of transformative influence. I am not saying that things are simple – I know there is a lot of complexity around product development – but what I am saying is that the more we have increased representation of women in leadership, the more our voices can echo through the halls of corporate strategy, the more we can shape innovation agendas and the more we can ensure that companies are not just pursuing technological advancement for the sake of it, or very narrow reasons, but are addressing ethical considerations, promoting equity and sustainable development.
The active involvement of women in innovation is not just about gender equity, it is about drawing on the full spectrum of human potential. We cannot exclude half of the world's population. We must be at the table, making and influencing decisions and creating impactful change.
Here are three steps you can take today – woman or not – to embrace your role in shaping a more innovative and responsible world
1. Embark on a journey of awareness
Begin with your immediate environment. Look around your home or workplace and consider the items you interact with daily. Use apps like Yuka or similar tools to understand the impact of your choices. Knowledge is the first step towards empowerment. By becoming more aware, you will be equipped to make decisions that align with your values and have the courage to demand better from the products and services you use.
2. Advocate for change in your sphere
Innovation begins with a conversation. Start dialogues within your networks about the need for ethical consumption and innovation. Whether it's a family discussion at dinner or a topic raised in a team meeting, your voice can sow the seeds of change. By advocating for products and services that benefit both people and the planet, you influence demand and drive the market towards more sustainable options.
3. Amplify your impact
Take a stand by supporting or creating initiatives that reflect your commitment to positive change. This could be as simple as choosing to buy from a local, sustainable business or as significant as spearheading a corporate social responsibility project at work. You can also mentor and support other women and allies in your industry, sharing knowledge and experiences to uplift each other and create a ripple effect of positive change.
In a world where we often feel our ability to impact is just a small drop in the ocean, these actions will help bring things back to what we can control and influence. Embrace your power, weave your decision-making into this larger narrative, and be the change that can bridge the divide between what we create and what the world needs.
Want to find out more about how women are managing and leading innovation in the work place? Watch the webinar hosted for International Women's Day – Sip and Forge Inclusive Innovation. I discussed this story from 46:17 to 50:55.
The Yuka App
Watch the replay here.
Natalie Turner, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Natalie is an experienced innovation specialist having spent over 25 years working as a corporate innovation director, a business consultant, and an entrepreneur. She has worked for and consulted with some of the world’s leading organisations including Cisco Systems, GSK, Edgewell, and the Singapore Government. The inventor of The Six ‘I’s® of Innovation and author of the Award-Winning Book, Yes, You Can Innovate, Natalie has made her passion for purpose and people-driven innovation practical as well as inspirational to elevate people’s thinking on not only what they can create, but how – the mind, skill sets and cultural environments – that make everyday innovation happen.
