My latest project is to take my global sourcing and open innovation quiz for me. It asks the questions that open innovation experts typically face, and then calculates the answers. The results are then displayed in order of preference. My belief is that it is possible to find hidden talents among the batch of candidates that are most likely to be hired for these positions. It’s also important for governments and large organizations to use their resources more efficiently.

When I took the sourcing and open innovation quiz for me, I was surprised that many of the questions related to talent were quite simple. For example, I realized that the basic skill required to be a successful entrepreneur is having the ability to communicate ideas clearly and selling the solutions to customers. None of the questions on the quiz asked for intricate or specialized knowledge that is specific to only one industry or another. Rather, they simply required basic skills that were shared by many successful entrepreneurs.

The next surprise to me was that the quiz actually recommended that an organization or government should take my global sourcing and open innovation quiz for them. In other words, if the government or organization needed a specific skill, it would then take my global sourcing and open innovation quiz for them. This raises several questions. For one, how often are government or organization organizations looking for specific skills in order to address problems?

Second, what is the likelihood that the skills recommended by the quiz would actually be beneficial to them? Third, are the suggested skills likely to be unique skills required by that organization or government? Lastly, does this scenario really represent the world view of most governments and organizations that take my global sourcing and open innovation quiz for me?

Now, the questions about the recommendation that I take my global sourcing and open innovation quiz for them do raise valid concerns. If the skills recommended are truly unique, then there is a strong possibility that they will not be beneficial to the clients and partners that they serve. Also, as suggested earlier, government or organizations may not necessarily be the best place to implement these skills if they do not have the proper frameworks or training to do so. Nevertheless, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they can’t implement these skills.

The other concern that I have is one that many people might consider to be a quandary at worst: Is it right for me to take my global sourcing and open innovation quiz for them? Some people argue that it should be right for every company. Their logic is that if other companies are taking my work, then it is probably right for me. This seems reasonable because every company is doing something different. However, what if I am the only company taking this work?

I would submit to you that there is an answer to the previous question. Yes, it is right for me to take my global sourcing and open innovation quiz for them. Why? Because I can determine which skills will be most beneficial to them and thus most useful to their customers and partners.

Further to this, because I know what is best for them and how others are thinking (even if they are not sharing thoughts), I can design my company to better serve my customers. Therefore, when I say that my company must take my global sourcing and open innovation quiz for them, I mean that I will do what is best for them. I will tailor my skills, my process and my tools to what they need, because that makes sense for them, too.