Innovation everywhere: How Sabre India breeds ideas from every desk

Sabre India’s approach to innovation is not confined to flashy hackathons or trendy buzzwords. It’s a constant hum in the background, woven into the fabric of the company’s daily operations. This commitment to pervasive innovation, where every employee is a potential inventor, sets Sabre apart in the competitive travel technology landscape.

Innovation isn’t just an aspiration at Sabre India, a travel technology company headquartered in Southlake, Texas, with 1,500+ employees in India. It’s a living, breathing practice, embedded in every interaction and decision.

Unlike companies that compartmentalise innovation into isolated programmes or events, Sabre India doesn’t believe in ‘innovation labs’ or siloed brainstorming sessions. Its philosophy is simple: everyone, from interns to senior architects, has a responsibility and a platform to contribute fresh ideas. They are empowered to think creatively and challenge the status quo.

This democratised approach is championed by the company’s new chief product officer, who believes innovation is not a privilege bestowed upon a select few, but a shared responsibility woven into every team’s DNA.

The key difference lies in the focus: not on hypothetical puzzles, but on tackling real issues within their own products and finding practical solutions with tangible impact. Participants are presented with genuine challenges faced by Sabre’s own products, tasked with generating solutions that can translate into immediate savings and operational improvements.

Sabre India’s hackathons, for instance, stand out from the crowd. Unlike the usual focus on hypothetical problems, Sabre tasks participants with tackling real challenges within their existing products. The focus is on practicality, not pizzazz.

“We don’t just want ideas, we want solutions that can be implemented now, not six months down the line.”

Rency Mathew, global people leader, Asia-Pacific, Sabre

To nurture this culture, Sabre offers a diverse tapestry of programs and competitions throughout the year. These initiatives, both local and global, are designed to jolt employees out of their routine and challenge them to think outside the box.

“We don’t just want ideas,” emphasises Rency Mathew, global people leader, Asia-Pacific, Sabre. “We want solutions that can be implemented now, not six months down the line.” This practical approach ensures buy-in from teams and prioritises actionable outcomes over mere intellectual flourishes.

The success of these initiatives is measured not just by participation rates or flashy presentations, but by tangible impact. Sabre tracks which ideas lead to revenue generation or operational efficiency improvements, and the best-performing initiatives are duly recognised and rewarded.

Beyond hackathons, Sabre India runs programmes like the Women in Technologies (WIT) coding challenge, encouraging female participation in development and quality assurance.

Internships also play a pivotal role in Sabre’s innovation ecosystem. Every year, they bring in approximately 60 enthusiastic final-year students, offering them not just valuable corporate experience but also a platform to inject fresh perspectives into the company’s systems. “Intern ideas can be goldmines,” Mathew explains. “Their lack of preconceptions allows them to question existing processes and suggest innovative alternatives.”

Open communication is paramount in this open-door environment. Interns are encouraged to engage with individuals across the organisation, including the board, ensuring their ideas are heard and considered. The result? A constant influx of fresh thinking, challenging paradigms and driving progress even from those with limited experience.

To foster collaboration and cross-pollination of ideas, Sabre India also runs programmes such as Blitz Code and pitch events. These initiatives bring together teams from diverse business units and functions, tackling challenges with a holistic approach. This collaborative spirit ensures comprehensive solutions that address problems from multiple angles, leaving no stone unturned.

Sabre India’s approach to innovation is not without its challenges. Time constraints in some programmes can be demanding, and balancing ongoing work commitments with participation can be tricky. To address this, the company organises multiple programs throughout the year, providing ample opportunity for everyone to get involved.

Ultimately, Sabre India’s commitment to pervasive innovation is not just a trendy slogan but a core value that permeates every aspect of the company. By empowering every employee to be an inventor, Sabre fosters a culture of constant evolution, ensuring its place at the forefront of the travel technology industry.

The success of Sabre India’s approach is evident in its tangible outcomes. By prioritising real-world problem-solving and diverse perspectives, the company has demonstrably fuelled its growth and success. From revenue-generating solutions born in hackathons to improved operational efficiency driven by intern ideas, Sabre India’s commitment to constant innovation reaps real rewards. As the travel technology landscape evolves, their focus on practical solutions and collaborative problem-solving positions them to thrive, one creative leap at a time.