Research & Tools | Innovator Interviews | General Mills

Innovator Interview: General Mills

Jeff Bellairs, Senior Director of Connected Innovation for General Mills, shares his insights on building a successful open innovation program and turning the idea of "connecting the dots" into a profitable business model.

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The background

This Innovator Interview series highlights leading innovators at Fortune 500 companies. In contrast to past interviews, focusing on a single innovation, this series examines the state of innovation at global organizations. We spoke with both innovation leaders and practitioners, within varying business units and organizational structures, across a broad range of industries both for–profit and not–for–profit. The interviews offer a unique insider’s view into the world of innovation—what makes it work, what holds organizations back, and what critical advice new innovators need to know to be more successful with innovation overall.

The interview

futurethink had the pleasure of speaking with Jeff Bellairs, Senior Director of Connected Innovation for General Mills, the global consumer product powerhouse behind some of the world's best loved brands–-including Cheerios, Green Giant, Fiber One, and many more. In his role as the head of General Mills' Worldwide Innovation Network, Mr. Bellairs leads a cross-organizational team of 30 and is a key figure in the Open Innovation Movement.

How did a traditional company like General Mills, founded in the 1860s and known for good old-fashioned brands like Betty Crocker and Wheaties, become a leader in open innovation? Read on for Mr. Bellairs insights on building a successful open innovation program and turning "connecting the dots" into a profitable business model.

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