"A ship is safe in the harbor, but that's not what ships are for" - William Shedd

Innovation is not about seeking safe harbors.  And yet, that is what I see companies do day after day after day.

They declare that innovation is their key to growth.  But they run the program on a shoe-string budget just in case this whole thing doesn't work out as planned.  Something with little down side.  Something "safe."

They proclaim they are going to establish a strong culture of innovation.  But they hire someone with no innovation/idea management or product development experience to lead their innovation effort.  Someone from within the industry.  Someone "safe."

They assert that they have processes, techniques and tools to seek out problems, challenge employees and capture the best ideas.  But they implement rigid stage-gate processes where the "gates" are nothing more than glorified cost analysis sessions.  Somewhere that money talks.  Somewhere "safe."

They stress that ideas are just the beginning and that they are committed to action.  But they focus on generating easy ideas to easy problems.  They ignore the execution portion and think project management tools are for "real" projects.  Something easy and effortless.  Something "safe."

They decree that ideas can come from anywhere and be "disruptive."  But they demand technical feasibility studies, ethnographic research findings, positive NPV and ROI and other quantitative analysis reports before moving forward.  Something from the world they know.  Something "safe."

They claim that their innovation initiative will encourage fast failure and learned mistakes.  But they punish variance, underfund research, development and prototyping and publicly reprimand those associated with project failure.  Something resembling the status quo of today's management discipline.  Something "safe."

They project future profit through innovation.  But they look only ahead at the next quarter, shareholder report or stock analyst ratings period.  Something now.  Something "safe."

It is sad, actually.  We've talked about it before...a lot of talk without a lot of walk.  Some are beginning to see through the charade.  Some are even calling out the biggest offenders.  I won't go that far...but poseurs know who they are.  They know that the smoke and mirrors approach won't last forever. They know that they won't be able to assume doing nothing equals "safe."

I still hold out hope there are organizations out there who do get it.  Who do want to better understand how innovation management provides significant growth and competitive separation.  Who are willing to risk a little for a larger long-term gain.  Who aren't satisfied with playing it safe.