The McDonald’s Principle and Other Insights from DHL’s Innovation Ecosystem

Welcome to the next episode of Platform Disco! Today, our guests are Stefan Fühner, VP Strategy & Commercial Development at DHL.

DHL has four innovation centers across the globe that serve as structured engagement platforms for customers, technology providers, and startups. The innovation process at DHL follows a funnel framework, starting with thought leadership and research, moving to exhibits and customer engagement, then proof of concept and pilot, and finally productization and scaling. The goal is to solve customer problems and strategically leverage innovation.
WHAT IS THE EPISODE ABOUT?
The episode covers various topics related to logistics and innovation within the company, including trend radar, thematic innovation islands, reuse and refurb initiatives, the McDonald's principle in managing innovation, and the significance of working in logistics. The innovation centers in Chicago, Cologne, Singapore, and Dubai are highlighted as key platforms for collaboration and discussion.

Stefan explains that these centers are not research and development hubs but rather places where customers, technology providers, and operations teams come together to solve customer problems. He emphasizes the importance of a structured innovation process, starting with thought leadership and research, moving through customer engagement and proof of concepts, and ultimately scaling successful innovations. Examples like exoskeletons for worker safety and robotics for warehouse operations illustrate the practical challenges and successes in implementing these technologies.

We also talk about the importance of managing innovation in a structured way, using metrics and a stage-gate process to move ideas through the funnel. Stefan mentions that while failure is a part of the innovation process, it is important to learn from these experiences and keep pushing forward. He notes that DHL is making progress in this area, although there is always room for improvement. The structured approach helps in managing the complexity and ensuring that innovations are scalable and practical in real-world operations.

Finally, Stefan talks about the future of last-mile delivery, emphasizing the importance of electrification, data-driven on-demand delivery services, and the potential for drones and robotics. He shares his personal passion for logistics, noting that it connects to every industry and offers endless opportunities for innovation and improvement. He concludes by reflecting on the satisfaction of delivering happiness to customers and the pride he takes in DHL's role in global trade.


All links to Stefan Fühner and DHL:

Stefan:   / stefan-fuehner-a42b46142  

DHL: https://www.dhl.com/de-de/home.html