Philips Lighting's Transformation into Signify

Philips Lighting, a global leader in lighting products, systems, and services, transformed
significantly to become Signify, reflecting its shift towards innovative lighting solutions and
sustainability. This strategic move exemplifies how an organization can develop its ability to
respond flexibly to environmental changes and uncertainties by fostering a culture of
continuous learning and innovation, investing in flexible technologies, and promoting cross-
functional collaboration.

Encouraging a Culture of Continuous Learning and Innovation:

• Signify has strongly emphasised fostering a culture where innovation is at the forefront
of its operations. This involved not just the development of new products but also the
reimagination of existing lighting solutions to be more energy-efficient and
environmentally friendly.

• The company launched a series of innovation programs and workshops that encourage
employees to explore new ideas and technologies in lighting, such as IoT-enabled
intelligent lighting solutions, which could be rapidly prototyped and tested.

Investing in Technologies that Enhance Flexibility:

• Recognizing the importance of staying ahead in the fast-evolving tech landscape

signifies investing heavily in cutting-edge technologies that enable flexibility in product
development and manufacturing processes. This includes adopting 3D printing for
customizable lighting solutions and leveraging IoT technology to develop intelligent
lighting systems that can be controlled via smartphones.

• Such investments allowed Signify to adapt its product offerings quickly to changing
market demands, particularly as consumers and businesses increased their focus on
sustainability and smart home technologies.

Promoting Cross-Functional Teams and Projects:

• To break down silos and enhance collaboration across different departments, signify
restructured its teams to be more cross-functional, bringing together experts in
technology, design, marketing, and sustainability to work on joint projects.

• This approach facilitated knowledge sharing and innovation, as diverse perspectives

were brought together to tackle challenges and develop holistic lighting solutions. It
 also ensured that projects could move more swiftly from concept to market, as decisions
were made collectively by all relevant stakeholders.

Outcome:

Through its transformation into Signify, the company not only reinforced its position as a
market leader in the lighting industry but also became synonymous with innovation,
sustainability, and responsiveness to the rapidly changing technological landscape and
consumer preferences. Signify's commitment to a culture of learning, technological investment,
and cross-functional collaboration has made it a model for other organizations seeking to
enhance their flexibility and adaptability in uncertain environments.