Great companies are made of great people.

The future of innovation isn't about lone geniuses or massive corporate R&D departments. It's about collaboration; it’s about creatively-fueled innovation by nimble teams of corporate athletes ready to take on whatever challenges come their way.

From my early days as a rocket scientist to my current role as Innventure CEO, I’ve been faced with how to navigate complex challenges and build revolutionary companies that make a difference in the world. My approach centers on bringing together the right people and resources to turn groundbreaking ideas into reality.

But in an era where innovation is a corporate imperative, and talent is more mobile than ever, how do we attract, retain, and empower the best minds to build businesses that make a real difference? 

‍

The Talent Imperative

Let's start with a sobering reality: the war for talent is fiercer than ever. According to a McKinsey study, 87% of companies worldwide know they either already have a skills gap or will have one within a few years. This talent shortage is particularly acute in high-growth, innovative sectors.

At Innventure, we've made it our mission to find great talent and create an environment where exceptional individuals can thrive and make lasting impacts.Here's how we approach this challenge and how you can apply these principles in your own organization.

‍‍

Attract Visionaries and Problem-Solvers

Great companies aren't built by people simply looking for a job. They're built by individuals passionate about solving big problems and creating meaningful change.

At Innventure, we look for what we call "corporate athletes” or “serialCXOs”—versatile professionals who combine deep expertise with broad business acumen. These individuals aren't just skilled in their specific domains but also have the ability to see the big picture and adapt quickly to new challenges.

To attract such talent, it's crucial to articulate a compelling vision. What big problems are you trying to solve? How will your work impact the world? Top talent is drawn to organizations with a clear, inspiring mission.

‍

Foster a Culture of Continuous Learning

In a world where the half-life of skills is constantly shrinking, the ability to learn and adapt is more valuable than raw knowledge. We've found that creating a culture of continuous learning is vital to both attracting and retaining top talent.

It's not about quick fixes but about integrating innovation into the daily fabric of the organization. Building innovative teams requires a gradual approach. It’s about creating an environment where curiosity is encouraged, failure is seen asa learning opportunity, and individuals are constantly challenged to expand their capabilities. 

At Innventure, we regularly rotate our team members through different roles and projects. This not only broadens their skill sets but also gives them a more holistic understanding of our business and the challenges we're tackling.

‍

Empower Decision-Making at All Levels

Great people don't want to be micromanaged —they want to make meaningful decisions and see the impact of their work. One of the most powerful ways to engage and retain top talent is to push decision-making authority as far down the organization as possible.

This approach requires trust and a tolerance for some level of risk. But we've found that when people feel truly empowered, they become more invested in the company's success and are more likely to stick around for the long haul. When we evaluate a new technology or plan a go-to-market strategy, we make it a point to include perspectives from across the organization. This isn't just about being fair—it's about leveraging our team's diverse experiences and insights to make better decisions.

‍

Connect Individual Contributions to Company Impact

People want to know that their work matters. At Innventure, we make a concerted effort to draw clear lines between individual contributions, our broader company goals, and societal impact.

Innventure has launched and built three companies since inception: PureCycleTechnologies, Inc.(Nasdaq: "PCT"), whose technology converts recycled polypropylene into a renewable resource through its unique purification process; AeroFlexx, whose technology utilizes flexible film to create a package for liquid products that uses up to 85% less virgin plastic versus traditional rigid bottles; and Accelsius, whose technology utilizes liquid cooling technology designed to meet the rising demand for efficient cooling systems in data centers and telecommunication systems.

With each company, we ensured every team member understood how their work contributed to catalyzing transformative advancements that address market voids while delineating clear avenues for growth and how their work contributed to this.  

‍

Embrace Flexibility and Work-Life Integration

The pandemic has permanently altered how we think about work. Top talent now expects flexibility in where and when they work. But it's not just about remote work policies - it's about recognizing that people have lives outside of work and enabling them to integrate their personal and professional lives in a way that works for them.

At Innventure, we focus on outcomes rather than hours worked. This approach not only leads to happier, more balanced employees but often results in higher productivity and creativity.

‍

Create Opportunities for Ownership

Executives who wish to carry their organizations across the growing divide between innovation leaders and laggards must start with a commitment to making innovation an essential part of the organization’s growth model and future success—not a vague hope, fallback option, or happy accident. That means embedding innovation in the heart of their objectives, orienting their resources and organizing accordingly, and holding themselves and their teams accountable for results.

One of the most effective ways to align individual and company interests is through ownership. This can take many forms, from equity stakes to profit-sharing programs. When employees have a real stake in the company's success, their perspective shifts from that of an employee to that of an owner. With each Innventure Company, we've seen how this sense of ownership drives people to go above and beyond, innovate more freely, and think long-term about the company's success.

‍

The Road Ahead

The journey from innovator to business leader is one of the most challenging transitions an entrepreneur can make. It requires humility, self-awareness, and a willingness to surround yourself with people who may be more experienced or skilled in certain areas than you are.

Remember, seeking help isn't a sign of weakness – it's a sign of wisdom. The most successful entrepreneurs can harness not just their brilliance, but the collective brilliance of a diverse, experienced team.

Successful companies will be characterized by their ability to attract, retain, and empower great people. The organizations that win will have the most resources or the best technology and create environments where exceptional individuals can do the best work of their lives.

At Innventure, we're constantly evolving our approach to talent management, learning from each new company we launch. We believe that by focusing on people— their growth, their passions, and their potential — we can build companies that not only succeed in the marketplace but make a real difference in the world.

‍

In the end, that's what it's all about — harnessing the power of great people to solve big problems and create positive change.

As leaders, there's no more critical task than creating the conditions for this magic to happen.
‍
Bill Haskell is the CEO of Innventure, bringing over 30 years of experience in building and scaling technology companies across diverse sectors. A seasoned entrepreneur and executive, Bill has served as CEO, COO, and strategic planning executive for numerous ventures, and has been a director for more than a dozen public and private companies globally. His expertise spans company building, financial modeling, M&A advisory, and taking companies public through IPOs. Bill's unique approach combines deep industry knowledge with a talent for assembling high-performing teams, making him a sought-after leader in the world of corporate innovation and technology commercialization.

Ready to revolutionize your approach to innovation and talent management?

Contact us today to learn more about our partnership opportunities and how we can help you build great companies with great people.

‍