Up to 31% of businesses have failed to innovate during the COVID-19 pandemic, a shock new study has found.
Most businesses are proud of how they have reacted to the pandemic, with 36% saying they have successfully innovated to make minor adjustments to their business, whereas one-in-four say they have fully adapted to seize Covid-19 related opportunities, Ayming Group research has revealed.
However, businesses must be wary of disruption. It’s clear that the pandemic has accelerated innovation in most markets, as agreed by 82 per cent of businesses, with a quarter of all firms saying that this acceleration has been drastic. Despite this, 69 per cent believe they are innovating enough to keep up with the changes in their market. Confidence which may be misplaced.
This raises the danger of complacency. Not only are markets more open to disruption, but Research and Development departments face a growing number of challenges. Budgets, for example, are much more uncertain and there are growing concerns about a talent shortage, both of which are contributing to a failure of almost a third of firms to innovate during the pandemic. Those who are not innovating are at a disadvantage and could be left behind.
Mark Smith, Partner of Innovation Incentives at Ayming UK, said: “The gap is widening between those who have prioritised innovation and those who haven’t. We know Covid-19 has completely shaken up whole industries and economies. It has simultaneously created the perfect environment for disruption while creating challenges for R&D teams and businesses. This research reveals an unbalanced reaction.