# From the Stage: Upside-Down Innovation
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From the stage When I spent time with Disney, they described how their old innovation model worked for a new movie: design the toys, plan the merchandising, then do the branding. Then they realized their retail partners, Walmart and Target among them, had better insight than they did. "So instead, they turn the process up to down, upside down innovation." The lesson for any organization in a high-velocity economy is that you can't do it all yourself. "Organizations are partnering up." Why it matters Too many organizations still treat innovation as something that happens inside the building and gets pushed out to customers. But your customers and partners often see the future of your product before you do. Turning the process upside down means asking them first, and partnering for the things you can't do alone. The takeaway Ask a customer or partner what they'd design if they were you. Identify one thing you're trying to do alone that a partner could do faster. Let the market shape the product, not just receive it. Related: Event Highlight: Walt Disney Corporation, Hollywood, CA - Innovation in the World of Upside Down Trends · Earlier: Daily Inspiration: Mastering Innovation - "World class innovators focus on customer-oriented innovation" (2024) · Earlier: Daily Inspiration: "Stop trying to solve your problems. Solve their problems!" (2023) · Retail & Consumer From the Stage is a weekday series of short clips from more than 30 years of keynotes, and the leadership lessons that still matter.

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Source: https://jimcarroll.com/2026/10/from-the-stage-upside-down-innovation/