Here's how you can tap into your boss's expertise and guidance to boost your product innovation efforts.

Schedule regular, brief meetings with your boss to update them on the project's progress and discuss any roadblocks. This keeps them informed and engaged, allowing for timely feedback and support.

In my experience as a product innovator at KPMG, I've seen firsthand the power of seeking targeted advice from mentors 🎯. When developing business cases or launching new products, articulating your ideas and challenges clearly to your boss can yield invaluable insights. By respecting their time and expertise, you'll receive focused feedback that directly impacts your project's success and fosters a culture of innovation 💡.

I look at my line manger always as my mentor, communicating my professional/person goals and seeking an advice in how I could achieve them? And share my plan with them and keeping him/her posted about what did work with me what’s not. On this way you’ll always have engagement conversations.

Perhaps before seeking advice, it is good to acknowledge a boss’s expertise in an area about which you see seek to be advised. A small bit of ego stroking before making a request never hurts

Observational learning from seasoned leaders is pivotal for innovation success. 🌟 Emulate problem-solving methods, prioritisation strategies and team creativity catalysts. Exemplary bosses are living blueprints for managing complex product launches through their battle-tested approaches. Thoughtfully model their best practices to elevate your innovation prowess. 💡

Study how your boss assesses risks and opportunities when making decisions. Understanding their criteria and thought processes can help you adopt a more strategic mindset in your innovation efforts.

Invite colleagues from diverse departments to innovation discussions with your boss. Their perspectives can provide fresh angles and holistic solutions that align more closely with market needs.

Fostering open dialogue encourages collaborative ideation and knowledge sharing 💡 Pioneering firms like IDEO leverage tools like design thinking workshops to iteratively co-create solutions. Regular brainstorming sessions capture diverse perspectives, stimulating innovation through constructive discourse. Embracing this mindset unlocks synergies, driving impactful product breakthroughs. 🚀

Leveraging industry connections and expert networks is crucial for successful product innovation 💡 Renowned companies excel by tapping into external knowledge sources. Design thinking methodologies emphasise user research for customer-centric solutions. Tools like expert interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic studies gather invaluable insights to drive innovation. 🔑

Implementing feedback swiftly and visibly is crucial in innovation. 🚀 Lean methodologies advocate rapid prototyping and continuous improvement. Showcase how suggestions shaped outcomes through demos or metrics. This builds credibility and trust. Successful innovators like Apple and Google excel at iterating based on user feedback. 😎

Reflecting on the outcomes of my innovation efforts with my boss has been invaluable. We discuss what worked well and areas for improvement in future projects. This reflection not only fine-tunes our innovation strategies but also strengthens our relationship. It shows appreciation for their guidance and support in my professional growth.

Proactively initiate one-on-one meetings or group discussions where your boss can share their industry insights, past experiences, and strategic vision. Present your early-stage concepts or prototypes to your boss and invite their constructive criticism, leveraging their expertise to refine and enhance your proposals. Express your interest in learning from your boss's experience and ask for opportunities to shadow them in relevant meetings or decision-making processes. Foster a culture of open communication and mutual trust, where you feel comfortable bouncing ideas off your boss and seeking their guidance on challenging problems.