COLLABORATION BETWEEN R&D AND IP DIVISIONS

April 12, 2024

Prelude

Gone are the days when individual departments of the same organisation were responsible for maximising efficiency and productivity of a single unit in which they operate.

With the advent of new technologies, digitalization and collaborative work culture, companies now look up to more knowledge transfer between people with varied skillsets to ensure goals are attained collectively.

Two such very interdependent areas where innovation is the key fuel for sustainable and efficient attainment of business objectives are the intellectual property, research and development wings.

In today’s day and age, it becomes very important for these two, to function in liaison, to ensure revenue stability while promoting sustained growth.

Effectual’s business intelligence aims to identify areas where these two can effectively complement and strengthen each other, thereby impacting overall revenues.

With over a decade’s experience in research & consulting with Start-ups, SME’s, Fortunes and over a period of time, we have been advising people in multiple industries, the need to bridge gap between the two core innovation driven units, to find synergy, as it not only provides a great opportunity to streamline processes, but also helps in effectively planning future outcomes through optimal utilisation of resources.

Another aspect where EBIF bridges the gaps between these departments is through the effective use of Information technology enabled tools/software, by automating certain work functions to enhance effectiveness and power AI based analysis. 

While continuous communication is an integral part within the innovation ecosystem of both departments it is pertinent that everyone understands who does what and why.

The role of R & D is to create and foster innovation, while IP is responsible to provide the data required such as existing patent landscape on key areas whether in a particular geography or in an industry vertical – as that enables the R & D team to focus on areas that are specific and to create something that is not only unique but addresses a problem statement. This understanding helps create specific work flows that can accelerate the innovation lifecycle and help function things smoothly.

Every specific individual functioning in their respective departments has a unique skillset and we at Effectual have observed, if that information is broadcasted to people at the right time, it can help save effort duplicity, shorten timelines thereby reducing costs.

Most R & D professionals work either alone or in groups on specific projects, here IP teams can collaborate with them to help understand the need to protect IP for future business economics.

This when done together also ensures that specific bottlenecks within the ecosystem that arise due to the use of the same organizational resources is minimised thereby laying grounds for proper asset management.

IP teams should regularly update their colleagues within the R & D function on latest advancements that are coming to light in terms of new innovations being filed for whether patent, copyright or trademark in particular industry segments to help them be updated as the more the information innovators have, the higher the level of innovation shall be.

As an extension to the same IP teams should also come together to conduct sessions with their colleagues in the R & D to identify areas of interest on a regular periodic basis, so that they can help them protect these interests and help streamline thoughts towards a particular point. 

As an extension to the sessions that IP people host, they should also make it a point to ensure that every one of their colleagues in the R & D are aware of basic fundamentals around IP protection, prosecution and litigation.

The idea of having this is to ensure that from the time of conception of the idea, the lifecycle and the entire ecosystem, has knowledge on all essential things that are required for a unique proposition to reach the market without any hindrances, as it often happens that after investing substantial time, energy and effort – ideas get dismissed facing novelty or prosecution issues.

The digital age has revolutionized almost all aspects of company functioning’s and these two departments are part of the revolution as well.

There are many IP tools that can help R & D guys to develop novel innovations as these tools provide all the necessary information to quickly search for and understand the already existing IP in a particular segment.

These exercises not only help and guide the R & D teams but also help them avoid pursuing areas that have no significance or are not worth going forward with. In order to meet business objectives, it is imperative that these two teams function in synergy to produce the best results throughout the innovation lifecycle.

Effectual provides expert consulting to companies that have diverse and huge patent portfolios through our team of leading in-house industry IP experts, who specialise in identifying the technological trends, provide pattern analysis, predicting business trends, opportunities and threats, that can ensure high quality outcomes, while making information available within designated timelines at affordable costs. We aim to provide an effective work order to the R & D teams, through our expertise while ensuring imagination and creativity do not get restrained.

We aim to provide your team with timely help and expert (best-suited and multi-disciplinary SME’s in various technology domains) support at all times

Create a bandwidth that you never had, for you to internally focus on tasks that are more important in your priority order – time to focus on output and plan expansion activities.

Building expansive portfolio – we shall not only help in daily operational requirements but also help you through strategic insights that can help take informed decisions – whether to retain or dump unprofitable IP assets.

Managing volume based tasks – we want your innovation ecosystem to function as smoothly as possible, any excess load – let us handle that.

Having a dedicated offshore IP team - Save hiring, training, retention efforts.

Reduce costs considerably, spent in engaging various vendors on an ad-hoc model

Please feel free to reach out to one of our subject matter experts at info@effectualservices.com

to explore, how we can help you & make the world a better place to live in !!!

Effectual’s BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH FRAMEWORK  is a deep dive into this ecosystem and shall help you understand the intricacies of this nascent innovative domain with insights backed with credible data sources. Some ways we can help include, but not limited to - Performing any previous art or freedom to operate searches to help you better grasp the environment surrounding your invention or business endeavors. If certain methods of IP protection are more appropriate for your technological or business goals, we can help you strategize effectively to plan for future & in making continuous innovation a part of your working model.

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