6. Our advice

You'll need to tailor the innovation paths of your purchasing position or organization to the degree of maturity you've already achieved, and to your company's strategic priorities, rather than giving in to fads (driven by ubiquitous jargon), to the siren calls of IT tools, or trying to force your way through the bastions of R&D and marketing.

A cautious action plan, built on short-term successes, will be far more effective in legitimizing and advancing teams.