CLEVELAND, OH and BATTLE CREEK, MI--(Marketwire - May 20, 2008) - In a new
white paper
titled "Open Innovation and The Value of Non-Confidential Exchange,"
NineSigma and Kellogg Company discuss
how to establish
Open
Innovation (OI) strategies while preserving the critical intellectual
property of all internal and external parties. The paper suggests that by
implementing a consistent process of partner evaluation, non-confidential
information can be used to identify and qualify new ideas and capabilities
from external sources faster and more effectively than ever before.
"Using our proprietary process, which facilitates a structured flow of
non-confidential information, NineSigma has helped Kellogg Company
establish relationships with global
solution providers
that have sparked ideas and inspired new solutions to existing challenges,"
said Paul Stupay, vice president for NineSigma, Inc. "Our process helps to
protect the information and manage the risks involved with evaluating
external innovations. Effective integration of Open Innovation with an IP
Strategy encourages cultural adoption and consistent utilization throughout
the enterprise."
Stupay outlined three key messages from the
white paper:
1. Sometimes organizations jump too quickly to confidential
discussions. This often prevents developers from other areas in
the company from participating in the discussions and, therefore,
the evaluation of external solution providers.
2. In order to facilitate the consistent use of external solutions
and technology, organizations must establish a corporate OI
infrastructure. This will ensure that the OI process consistently
aligns with corporate strategy, structure and culture.
3. An intermediary, such as NineSigma, can develop a customized
process that aligns with an organization's OI infrastructure to
facilitate non-confidential and anonymous discussions.
"At Kellogg Company, we have developed a culture of product innovation that
has helped us become a world leader in the food industry," said Silvia
Uribe-Saucedo, Advanced Technology Assessment, Kellogg Company. "During the
last several years, with ever-changing business climates and consumer
demand, we have enhanced our internal innovation processes by engaging
NineSigma to help us reach out to the global community for new technologies
and opportunities. As a partner, NineSigma ensures that non-confidential
information exchanges with external sources operate smoothly and that
Kellogg can complete an effective and efficient review of solution provider
capabilities. With the help of an intermediary and a defined process and
infrastructure, we are able to recognize the numerous benefits of Open
Innovation while reducing risks associated with evaluating external
innovators."
To download the complete white paper, visit
http://www.eisenmanagementgroup.com/NineSigmaWP/.
About Kellogg Company
With 2007 sales of nearly $12 billion, Kellogg Company (
NYSE:
K) is the
world's leading producer of cereal and a leading producer of convenience
foods, including cookies, crackers, toaster pastries, cereal bars, frozen
waffles, and meat alternatives. The company's brands include Kellogg's,
Keebler, Pop-Tarts, Eggo, Cheez-It, Club, Nutri-Grain, Rice Krispies,
Special K, All-Bran, Mini-Wheats, Morningstar Farms, Famous Amos, Ready
Crust and Kashi. Kellogg products are manufactured in 18 countries and
marketed in more than 180 countries around the world. For more
information, visit Kellogg's web site at
www.kelloggcompany.com.
About NineSigma
NineSigma partners with Global 1000 companies to transform their innovation
capabilities by connecting them with the very best innovators from around
the world. NineSigma's proprietary process for Open Innovation enables
companies to dramatically improve speed to market while lowering product
development costs. NineSigma's open network of innovators is the largest of
its kind and spans industries, geographies, and technical disciplines.
Companies such as Xerox, GlaxoSmithKline, DuPont, Kraft, P&G, and Unilever
engage NineSigma to build new innovation capabilities that leverage
research and innovation globally to deliver greater value to their
customers. NineSigma is a private company with offices in the United
States, Belgium, and Japan. For more information visit:
www.ninesigma.com.
Contact Information: Media Contact:
Dan Dyer
513-478-7818
Kellogg Media Hotline
269-961-3799