FutureThink: Biggest obstacle to innovation is thinking, not capital

The main obstacle to innovation isn't a lack of capital or a reluctance to act, but rather the mindset and ability to create an ecosystem capable of supporting change, FutureThink CEO Lisa Bodell said during the first Azerbaijan International Investment Forum (AIIF 2025), Report informs.

According to her, it is the right approach to development and the resilience of organizations that determine their ability to transform in the long term. Lisa Bodell emphasized that most companies and countries have sufficient resources and capabilities, but the decisive factor is their mindset.

"Indeed, the most important thing is the right mindset-the ability to be resilient. The second is creating ecosystems that can support development. Often, such initiatives begin brightly but end quietly. Therefore, it is important to think long-term and systematically," she noted.

Speaking about key approaches to organizational transformation, Lisa Bodell identified four areas that, in her opinion, help ensure resilience and growth. The first of these is setting a bold and clear vision for the future.

"There's a saying: 'The future is not who you are, but who you are becoming.' The point is to constantly outdo yourself. After all, most people in organizations will resist change. And if they don't have a clear and inspiring vision of the future, it's very difficult to motivate them to move forward with you," emphasized the CEO of FutureThink.