Boy it's hard to stay focused today while tracking the latest live tweets from the CoDev 2010 conference and live blogs of the Apple event to launch the iPad (not to mention documenting project status reports, updating my NineSigma portal with new projects, etc.).  But actually, this hunger for new information (and how to make sense of it) is an important characteristic we look for in our own employees, and is also a driving force in the Open Innovation Champions we meet every day.  But what other skills are needed, and how can you spot your company's next Open Innovation Champion? 

First, it is important to recognize that (at least for now) 99% of the Open Innovation Champion roles are created internally by companies (so far I have seen very little movement to fill these roles externally).  This is because it is important for these OI Champions to really understand their organization, the IP requirements and preferences, and how much the organization can stretch.  Quite often, it is redefining a role that someone has been playing already informally, so filling internally makes a lot of sense. 

Critical internal experience also includes success at team building, visibility with the organization (and credibility across multiple disciplines, not just for the technical organization), exposure to corporate/business strategic goals/initiatives, and experience navigating approval and gaining buy-in to new initiatives (not to mention flexibility and adaptability).

In terms of external skills: deal facilitation experience, comfort interfacing with vendors/university partners/etc., and a passion for external collaboration.

Additionally, since OI Champions have to juggle quite a few tasks (many are in this role only part-time), excellent organization and communications skills are a must. It is critical for the Champion to be able to build, collect, and communicate best practices within the company and outside of it, and having ninja-like Excel and Powerpoint skills certainly is a plus.  

What is really quite interesting, is that although many of the OI Champions "grew up" through R&D or product development, OI Champions can really come from any role - marketing, business, operations, legal.  This reinforces how Corporate Innovation initiatives cross many different disciplines and organizations.  And as these roles continue to evolve (along with the evolution of the corporate innovation strategies), continued learning and training are essential. 

What thoughts do you have on good (or bad) characteristics for OI champions?  Feel free to comment below.