3M is an American conglomerate company based in St. Paul, Minnesota that employs around 90,000 people globally. It has sales of over $30 billion annually from its portfolio of over 55,000 products that are sold in over 200 countries. 3M is considered the most innovative company in the world due to its culture that encourages creativity and allows staff to spend 15% of their time exploring new ideas. This open culture of innovation has led to the development of major products and brands like Post-It Notes, Scotch tape, and Thinsulate insulation.

1. Corporate
Innovation at
3M

2. Science. Applied to life. TM
- Formerly Minnesota
Mining and
Manufacturing
Company
- Now an American
Conglomerate based
in St. Paul, Minnesota
Globally
about
90,000
employees
Globally
sales 2015:
$ 30.2 Bn
Sales of
products in
200
countries
55,000+
products
Operations
in 70
countries
Incremental
approach of
innovation &
product
development
Allows staff to
spend 15% of
their time to
explore new
ideas
Major innovations:
Post-It Notes
Waterproof Sandpaper
Mask Tape

3. Creative
Disciplined
Collaborative
CompassionatePassionate
Agile
Innovation = Idea + Exploitation
• Cross Functional Teams with
freedom to create ideas and share
them
• Tolerance for mistakes, comfort
with risks and encouragement to
come forward with good ideas
adds to 3M’s innovation culture
• Each promising idea is developed
with a multidisciplinary team
headed by ‘Executive Champions’
Innovation at 3M

4. A Century of Value Innovation

5. 3M – A ‘House of Brands’

6. 3M – Known for ‘Disruptive Innovation’
How it works

7. 360 Compass Avaguard
Bair Hugger Cavilon
Curos Filtek
Littmann Petrifilm
RelyX Tegaderm
Unitek
3M
Automotive
Commercial
solutions
Communication
Design &
Construction
Electronics
Mining &
Energy
Manufacturing
Safety
Transportation
Healthcare
Bondo
Cubitron-II
E-A-R
PELTOR
PPS
Scotch
Scotch-
Brite
Scotch
-Weld
Scotchlite
Scotchguard
Scotchkot
Scotchlok
Speedglas
Trizact
VHB
Aqua-
Pure
DI-
NOC
Diamond
Grade
Petrifilm
Thinsulate
Scotch
-Brite
Scotch
-Weld
3M Brand Hierarchy – B2B

8. Post-it
FUTURO
ACE
PELTOR
SandBlaster
Scotch
Scotch-Brite
Scotch-Weld
Scotchlit
eScotchguard
Command
Nexcare
Scotch Blue
Filteret
e
Hand
Masker
Aqua-
Pure
Littmann
Scotch PRO Thermal
Laminator
PELTOR
Sports
Ultimate
Hearing
Protector
Command
Easel Back
Picture
Hanging
Strips
ScotchBrite
ScrubDish Cloth
3M Ultra
Sanding Sheets
& Rolls
Scotch Blue Painter’s
Tape Original Multiuse
Scotch Blue Painter’s Tape
Multisurface with Advanced
Edge lock
Scotch Blue Painter’s Tape Delicate
Surface with Advanced Edge Lock
Scotch Blue
Painter’s Tape
Exterior Surfaces
Scotch Blue
Painter’s Tape
3
M
DIY
Home
Office
Person
al Care
3M Brand Hierarchy – B2C

9. 3M Social Media Presence
YouTube
Website Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn

10. 3M Website
Is customized region-wise (On display is for India
With distinct shopping arenas for B2B and B2C
customers

11. 3M Twitter Handle
The twitter feed is filled with innovative ideas that are
being developed, general explanations about products
as well as extensive display of work of the staff

12. 3M Twitter Handle

13. YouTube Ad: More than Post-It
Notes
• Focus on what 3M is, beyond
notes
• Shows the extent of product
portfolio of 3M
YouTube Ad: Building the future
• Focus on the utility of the 3M
products
• Shows how 3M science in
applied and imbibed in our
day to day lives
3M YouTube Channel
Is used to post videos about innovation in 3M,
how 3M encourages ideas, is beyond its few
well-known brands, how science & technology
is used to enhance its products and much more

14. 3M Facebook Pages
Facebook pages by 3M have been created for its
various regions and region-specific offices

15. 3M Facebook Pages
Facebook pages have also been created
product-wise in order to post newer updates,
promotions etc. about the various products

16. 3M LinkedIn
Used as a mode for hiring as well, LinkedIn is
used by 3M as a medium to enhance its
professional image through frequent updates
and detailed discussions

17. 3M Advertisements
Print ads are used
displaying innovative &
creative ways of
representing the uses of
the products

18. 3M Advertisements
Video ads indicate 3M innovation
applied to every day things of life.
The ads bring to light the technology
used to make lives simpler.

19. Brand
Vision
Brand
Boundaries
Brand
Positioning
Innovative products &
solutions to enhance everyday
life through application of
science
Every day products, technology and
innovations that improve lives,
encompassing everything from
stationery to personal healthcare to
households & businesses.
3M Technology Advancing Every Company
3M Products Enhancing Every Home
3M Innovation Improving Every Life
3M Brand Potential

20. 3M Branding Brief Analysis Summary
• 3M is considered as the most innovative company in the world
• 3M is a house of brands having prominent brands such as Scotch brite, Post-It
etc.
• The company operates primarily on a legacy of innovation, which it utilizes in
developing and enhancing each and every of its 55,000+ products
• Open culture for creativity, with involvement of staff and dedicated staff time
allocation for innovation drives the company’s growth and $30 billion+ sales

21. These slides were prepared by Anuja Rege (PGP31069) as a
part of the course “Brand Management” taught by Prof. Sameer
Mathur
Marketing Professor 2009 – 2013
Ph.D. and M.S. (Marketing) 2003 – 2009
Marketing Professor 2013 – Present
Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow
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