Speed beats perfection; or how to advance innovation.

^{This article first appeared in Finanz und Wirtschaft in German. Original text by Maura Wyler.}

We spoke with Brigitta Gyoerfi, our expert in innovation processes and Head of Operations at Tenity Zurich, about common innovation pitfalls and how businesses can adopt a "Venture Mindset" to drive meaningful change.

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Brigitta you have supported numerous companies through their innovation journeys. What are the most common pitfalls businesses face?

One of the biggest traps is what I call "analysis paralysis." Many companies spend too much time planning and assessing risks, which often leaves them stuck in a critical project phase without tangible results. Another common issue is the lack of strategic alignment. If a project is not supported by senior leadership or does not connect to the company’s core business, it often gets deprioritized and fades away as a"pet project" with no real impact.

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How can companies avoid these pitfalls?

We have had great success implementing the "Venture Mindset" approach. This innovation model focuses on targeted, controlled experiments with clear objectives and timelines. Instead of losing months or even years in planning, we conduct agile tests that deliver results within two to eight weeks. This enables companies to quickly determine whether an idea has potential, saving time and money while minimizing risks.

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Which industries benefit the most from this approach?

We see significant success in fintech and digital health, which are also our primary focus areas. However, the Venture Mindset is applicable across industries. What matters most is not the industry itself but the willingness to take controlled risks and embrace a rapid learning cycle.

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Some companies, especially in highly regulated sectors, may hesitate to experiment. How do you address that concern?

It’s true that in regulated industries, companies often say, "This won’t work for us" and use compliance as a barrier to innovation. But digital transformation and AI impact every sector. For example, we recently worked with a compliance team that implemented a "Regulatory Tracker" powered by AI. This tool automatically detects regulatory changes and provides actionable recommendations. Within a few weeks, we demonstrated that it not only saved significant time but also improved the quality of compliance work. The key is to experiment within a controlled environment.

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What advice would you give to companies wanting to adopt the Venture Mindset?

Start small. Define a specific problem and test a focused solution in a short, controlled experiment. Assign a compact, decision-driven team and ensure they have the necessary resources. The ability to make quick decisions is critical.

Speed is important, but does it compromise accuracy?

Only if there’s a lack of focus. Innovation requires clear objectives, measurable KPIs, and well-defined rules. An experiment should be strictly time- and budget-bound, and success should be evaluated based on defined metrics rather than gut feeling. Companies must also decide whether to develop solutions in-house or collaborate with a startup. Partnering with startups is often a great alternative when internal expertise is lacking.

Speaking of startups, what should companies keep in mind when working with them?

Companies need to be clear about why they are partnering with a startup. Is it for access to new technology, fresh ideas, or speed? Startups, on the other hand, must understand how corporates operate, especially in regulated industries.

A common challenge is the difference in decision-making speeds. Corporations often take longer to approve initiatives, while startups expect rapid progress. A structured process with defined milestones helps balance expectations on both sides. Shared success criteria are essential for effective collaboration.

Can you share a concrete example?

Certainly.A large financial institution wanted to help young customers improve their saving habits. Instead of developing a complex solution right away, they tested micro-saving options—small automated savings features—developed by a startup. Within a few weeks, they ran the experiment with a limited user group. The results were positive: customers responded well to the new savings features, and their saving behavior improved measurably.

This sounds like an incremental approach. Can it also drive deep innovation?

Absolutely, and that’s a common misconception. We often start with small experiments, but these lay the foundation for deeper transformation. If an experiment proves an idea has potential, it can be developed into a proof of concept and later scaled further. Many breakthrough innovations emerge iteratively, refining insights step by step.

In today’s fast-moving world, innovation requires both agility and a structured approach.The Venture Mindset helps businesses avoid common innovation pitfalls by enabling rapid experimentation, reducing risks, and fostering strategic alignment. Companies that embrace this mindset can drive meaningful innovation and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Learn more about the Tenity Venture Mindset Framework.