Innovation...Everyday...All Day...
I recently had a prospective client ask me, "How can I make my employees just "do" innovation?"
Well...it took a few back and forth discussions to clarify that statement, but what she was essentially asking was, "How long until my employees innovate without even thinking about it?"
Whew...that's a tough one!
I actually get asked this question a lot when presenting at conferences and other speaking opportunities, so I thought I would give out my Top Ten of Making Innovation Happen Every Day:
1. Innovation MUST be tied to the organizational strategy
2. Innovation MUST be on the leadership agenda and discussed at every leadership meeting
3. Innovation MUST be led by at least one C-Level or SVP-Level person
4. Ideas (from ANY source) MUST have a path/process to follow
5. Customers/Consumer MUST have a voice
6. Resources (People, Money & Time) MUST be made available for innovation
7. A culture of risk taking, fast failure, experimentation and imagination MUST exist and be supported/protected
8. The organization MUST be made up of skilled and diverse individuals who are set "free"
9. The organization MUST seek to be a leader of "next practices" not a follower of "best practices"
10. The organization MUST have the courage to KILL projects, ideas, lines of business, etc. that don't work
Once you have these ten "MUST's" in place, I think you will find that your employees, front-line managers, middle managers and senior leaders will be innovating...everyday...all day...
Well...it took a few back and forth discussions to clarify that statement, but what she was essentially asking was, "How long until my employees innovate without even thinking about it?"
Whew...that's a tough one!
I actually get asked this question a lot when presenting at conferences and other speaking opportunities, so I thought I would give out my Top Ten of Making Innovation Happen Every Day:
1. Innovation MUST be tied to the organizational strategy
2. Innovation MUST be on the leadership agenda and discussed at every leadership meeting
3. Innovation MUST be led by at least one C-Level or SVP-Level person
4. Ideas (from ANY source) MUST have a path/process to follow
5. Customers/Consumer MUST have a voice
6. Resources (People, Money & Time) MUST be made available for innovation
7. A culture of risk taking, fast failure, experimentation and imagination MUST exist and be supported/protected
8. The organization MUST be made up of skilled and diverse individuals who are set "free"
9. The organization MUST seek to be a leader of "next practices" not a follower of "best practices"
10. The organization MUST have the courage to KILL projects, ideas, lines of business, etc. that don't work
Once you have these ten "MUST's" in place, I think you will find that your employees, front-line managers, middle managers and senior leaders will be innovating...everyday...all day...
Dear Readers,
The Product Development & Management Association (PDMA) is hosting their 32nd Annual International Conference on September 15-17, 2008 in Orlando. We are going to have a record year, and wanted to extend a special discount to "Think for a Change" blog readers/contributers. Please visit our site at www.pdma.org and navigate to the conference. Mention priority code MP08IC during the registration process to receive your special discount.
The PDMA is recognized as the premier global advocate for professionals, and organizations working in the fields of new product development, management and innovation. PDMA membership is over 3,500 product development professionals and academics from all sectors of the economy in over 50 countries worldwide.
PDMA champions a global community that enables people and businesses to grow and prosper through innovation and the introduction and management of new products to the world market. Through a combination of strategically integrated resources encompassing professional development, education, experience, networking, collaboration, certification, and recognition, PDMA aims to improve the effectiveness of individuals and organizations in product development and management.
Feel free to contact me at sgargiulo@ahint.com if you have any questions.
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Thanks Paul! a great list! clear and simple, unlike other "top ten" lists that are full of meaningless buzzwords.
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