is currently in the box. Creativity is increased when you have subject matter knowledge. For example, as a Polymer Scientist I need good understanding of the composition, performance and life-span of materials when I look at the merit of an innovation project”.


And a change in organisation culture is needed to support innovation. Karmatchee continues, “We have a culture change department. Their responsibility is to create awareness in the organisation. They have a formal roll-out plan. Part of the plan entails an Innovation Champions Network that presents themes at a Business Unit and up to a National level. This network also helps with feedback of ideas from the different power stations to the innovations team. They are our ears and eyes. And they are spreading the word on our internal awards programme”. The awareness campaign is very effective. Karmatchee says, “It is very exciting to interact with staff members in the Eastern Cape and see how aware they are of the current projects and awards”.


Karmatchee presented a workshop at the South African Innovation Summit in August 2011. During the workshop she shared the reasons why Eskom pilots Open Innovation, how they selected the RIIS as their innovation partner and some of the teething problems they have experienced up to now.


“We have a culture change department. Their responsibility is to create awareness in the organisation”


– Karmatchee Dhaver December 2011 | Management Today 77


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