Case Studies

X5 Retail Group

Scouting for Chinese retail innovations

XNode worked with X5 Retail Group’s Innovation Department to scout 100 top-notch Chinese startups. The aim was to co-develop innovation solutions to automate and robotize retail processes, as well as the testing of new technologies, products, and services.

The 5 main areas of scouting were:

Solutions to streamline in-store operations
Personalization tools to enrich user experience
Solutions to optimize supply chain processes
ADAS and DMS for transportation efficiency and safety
AGVs to drive warehouse automations

100+ startups delivered

In December 2019, a total of 100+ startups were scouted with 20+ brief reports delivered.

Among the shortlisted 20+ startups, successful pilots are already underway in the scenarios of ADAS, biogas and AGV.

Pilots have the potential to roll out across X5 Retail Group’s various formats that cover 14,400 stores and comprise the brands: Pyaterochka, Perekrestok, and Karusel.

Michelin SAP 2019

Program Overview

Innovation is a key priority for Michelin to achieve its 2020 Ambitions. In order to achieve those ambitions, Michelin decided to set up a Corporate Innovation Board which initiated the Incubation Program Office.

In China, Michelin IPO (the innovation department) aims to build a strong portfolio of new business models and solutions in the following domains: (1) commercial fleet (2) individual consumers’ mobility needs, (3) retailers, consumer experience on food and travel

Together with Michelin IPO, XNode helped different BU :

Define and finetune innovation topic and needs
Scout and screen the best startups
Accelerate the POC projects with structured methodology and expert coaching.

Kering Innovation Workshop

50+ brand managers

Kering China and APAC

2-day innovation workshop in Shanghai (powered by Fabernovel and XNode)

Goals

To gather in-depth knowledge on pre-determined topics relevant to Kering group’s strategy and get inspired by best innovation practices in different fields and industries

Participants

Various brand managers from China and the APAC region, as well as innovation team from the group

Outcome

Identified trends and inspirations not only limited to luxury industry
Potential business challenges and opportunity identified with a follow-up by adopting new ideas for innovation within respective major brands of Kering
An ideation workshop in Hong Kong for 200+ Gucci store managers

Ericsson ONE Innovation Bootcamp

The big picture goal: become the toolbox for pioneers

Our mission is to create game-changers by unlocking intrapreneurs and innovators, shaping the future together.

How? By effective fostering an ecosystem of intrapreneurship

By enabling intrapreneurs to test and validate their ideas (market, product, operational) through the stages of rapid prototype, Incubation-MVP (minimum viable product) to Incubation-Industrilization ahead of moving into Ignition (acceleration).

Initial framework: 1)Ideation 2)Dragon's Den

To build a strong pipeline of projects through a careful and structured selection
From ideas to prototype: To apply the right methods and tools for these projects, in an accelerated manner, enabling them to reach a market-ready stage

This proposal outlines a full support structure to incubate and accelerate the Ericsson internal teams over a 2 months period. With our support, we aim to accelerate the proposition from idea to prototype, build a comprehensive business and investment case and validate the concept in the market to generate customer traction.

Pernod Ricard China - Ask Jerry Challenge

Objectives

The challenge aims at making Ask Jerry – Pernod Ricard China’s nationwide WeChat Cocktail Platform, the next industry-standard marketplace with the largest community for bartenders, bar owners and cocktail lovers in China.

Identify

the most promising Startups with whom to set up cooperation agreements and create strong synergies in China

Accelerate

the top Startups into Xnode ”LaunchPad” Acceleration Program, in which startups can learn, shape and further grow their business

Collaborate

both online and offline with Pernod Ricard China experts to implement the solutions proposed at the end of the challenge.

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The Agorize platform was used as a powerful digital tool to spot the best startups to co-develop the Ask Jerry WeChat Platform and making it the next industry-standard marketplace. The XNode ‘’LaunchPad’’ transformed the ideas in executable business cases.

SAP Internal Incubation Program with Globalization Services

Project objectives

Helping SAP Labs China to build internal capabilities of intrapreneurship
Developing capabilities of employees in all aspects of innovation including value proposition design, business model generation, traction and business case building and finance
Increasing the success rate of SAP China Globalization Services (GS) to enter the global project pool and gain access to internal funding
Learning from the innovation eco-system in China

Our solution

Tailored-made Innovation Program: A full support structure to incubate and accelerate internal SAP teams. With our support, we accelerate the proposition, build a comprehensive business and investment case and validate the concept in the market to generate customer traction
Startup Accelerator visits and Startup Meet-ups: Visits and frequent interactions with startups accelerators and relevant startups to interact with, get inspired by and learn from relevant actors in the innovation eco-system

Sanofi Hackathon 2020

Program Overview

XNode teamed up with Le Wagon and co-delivered three 3-day Wechat Mini Program Hackathons for Sanofi.

The hackathon aimed to empower Sanofi's in-house innovators to

‍Refine their innovative ideas,
Try to validate their proposition,
Develop an interactive prototype,

through a series of tailor-made workshop and coaching.

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XNode offered end to end solution, which includes:

Material design and onsite decoration
Workshop facilitation and pitch rehearsal
Retrospective article and media

And won the award of Sanofi Innovation Community Partner

Continental China Megacity Mobility Solutions Incubator 2019

Project Objectives

Company Objectives

Adopt and apply a completely new entrepreneurial process and mindset;

Help internal teams validate their innovative ideas with real customers and leads to more launching opportunities;

Accelerate the process of prototyping and building Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to go to market faster.

Pain Points to Address

A multitude of BU’s and markets all with its own dynamics and interests;

Time-consuming and costly process for idea and concept development;

The challenge to quickly learn from the market feedback and improve iteratively.

XNode Solution

Lean Startup Methodology:

Intensive acceleration workshops over three months
Using lean startup concepts to build solid business models and test hypotheses
Rapid prototyping to develop a minimal viable prototype at the end of 3 months

Entrepreneurs-in-Residence:

Our Entrepreneur-in- Residence, Sina, an entrepreneur with experience with digital marketing and the Chinese consumer ecosystem,
Through weekly touchpoint meetings, Sina will guide the team as they work on their product, providing valuable insights and guidance

Stakeholder Engagement:

XNode will facilitate the discussion between ASI’s Europe team and Chinese team
Team will tap onto our community of external partners, investors and mentors

Oney Wake Up Call

Objectives

(1) Discover new business opportunities (2) Learn from the innovation eco-system in China (3)Find collaboration with local innovation partners (4) inspire employees to engage in entrepreneurship

XNode Solution

Oney Wake up call: a tailor-made journey to discover innovation from different angles, understand the entrepreneurial mindset, and see innovation best practices. With the ultimate goal of shifting the perspective of Oney employees to drive real change

Result

3 new business opportunities for Oney
Achieving Problem/Solution fit through rapid iteration and customer interaction

Innovation Consultancy

Market Analysis & Growth Strategy Research Reports

Analysis Examples

Innovation Strategy: Transformation & Implementation

Result Examples

Let's talk about your innovation goals

Case Studies

X5 Retail Group

Michelin SAP 2019

Kering Innovation Workshop

Ericsson ONE Innovation Bootcamp

Pernod Ricard China - Ask Jerry Challenge

SAP Internal Incubation Program with Globalization Services

Sanofi Hackathon 2020

Continental China Megacity Mobility Solutions Incubator 2019

Oney Wake Up Call

Innovation Consultancy

Market Analysis & Growth Strategy Research Reports

Analysis Examples

Innovation Strategy: Transformation & Implementation

Result Examples

Let's talk about your innovation goals

Case Studies

X5 Retail Group

Michelin SAP 2019

Kering Innovation Workshop

Ericsson ONE ​ Innovation Bootcamp​

Pernod Ricard China - Ask Jerry Challenge

SAP Internal Incubation Program with ​Globalization Services

Sanofi Hackathon 2020

Continental China Megacity Mobility Solutions Incubator 2019 ​

Oney Wake Up Call

Ericsson ONE Innovation Bootcamp

SAP Internal Incubation Program with Globalization Services

Continental China Megacity Mobility Solutions Incubator 2019