Getting started with Open Innovation

I'm listening to a a fireside chat (sans the fireplace) on Innovation at the Stanford Summit. Mitchell Baker, Chairwoman for Mozilla Foundation (one of the best open-innovation success stories) just gave some great advice to companies who want to test-drive open innovation. Choose a project or product where you can afford to have innovation. Innovation is messy, and open innovation means you have to be ready give up control. If you pick something that is close to your core, you'll frustrate those participating when you reject ideas for reasons you can't share. Pick a place in your business where you can afford to give up some control.