Promoting Innovation
from Innovation Excellence.com 29 Sept 14 enhanced by Peter/CXO Wiz4biz
One of the most important efforts you’ll want to make in your organization, is to create a common language of Innovation. Unfortunately, there is no universally accepted definition of the word Innovation, and there have even been multiple articles written by many Business Gurus, about how many different types of Innovation there are and how you must choose which types of Innovation to focus on. When it comes to Innovation, individuals speak about it differently and there are lots of mis-understandings. A common language of Innovation is the foundation of any sustainable Innovation effort and is realized by putting these five steps in place:
1. Define what Innovation will mean in your organization, because Innovation means so many different things to so many different people that every organization should consciously sit down & define what Innovation means for them (and what it does not). Setting the baseline for people in your organization for what Innovation is, and what it isn’t, is the first and most important building block in a sustainable Innovation foundation. My definition is: “Innovation transforms the useful seeds of your creativity into widely adopted solutions valued above every existing alternative.” This definition highlights and emphasizes that something must be widely adopted to be an Innovation. Next you’ll want to consider how company Vision, Strategy, Goals & Infra-structure impact Innovation within your organization.
2. Create an Innovation “Vision”. Employees need to know why Innovation is important and what your leadership’s Vision is for the Innovation direction of the organization, so they apply their efforts in a manner consistent with the Vision. There are key characteristics of an effective Vision:
a) Imaginable: They convey a clear picture of what the future will look like.
b) Desirable: They appeal to the long-term interest of those who have a stake in the enterprise.
c) Feasible: They contain realistic & attainable goals.
d) Focused: They are clear enough to provide guidance in decision-making.
e) Flexible: They allow individual initiative & alternative responses in light of changing conditions.
f) Communicable: They are easy to communicate and can be explained quickly. Your Innovation “Vision” should ask & answer: Where are we focusing our Innovation efforts? Why are we pursuing Innovation?
[ 3. Craft an Innovation Strategy, 4. Set your Goals for your Innovation Efforts, 5. Demonstrate your Commitment to Innovation, in Premium Content ]