7 Essential Ingredients for Innovation
The idea that innovation is essential for survival, never mind profitability, is well accepted in 2006. Mention this and most people will probably think to themselves, "Tell me something I don't know." And then they'll proceed to think, "Oh deary me, I'm going to have to listen to yet another long spiel on how innovative Apple and Google are. Why doesn't he just give me something I can use? I want a recipe!"
Of course, there's no recipe for innovation, but there are some ingredients that you really must have as a minimum. Some of these ingredients are concrete, some of them less so.
INGREDIENTS
1. Resources: Time, People, Money.
2. True leadership for innovation.
3. A list of ideas (without people's names beside them).
4. A filter (the innovation strategy document).
5. A structured, flexible innovation process spelt out in a document.
6. A list of specific goals.
7. A measurement system that shows that what you're doing makes a difference.
8. A reward system (could be money/could be "recognition")
Although this list is very simple, it can be very useful because you can actually ask people to show you these things and lay them out on the table.
"Where is this month's list of ideas?"
"Where is the document that states why this idea was screened out?"
"How much time does this guy have off this month to observe how people are solving problems?"
This all sounds a bit strict, but isn't this the whole idea about managing innovation: making it a repeatable process? And reducing risk?
Of course, there's no recipe for innovation, but there are some ingredients that you really must have as a minimum. Some of these ingredients are concrete, some of them less so.
INGREDIENTS
1. Resources: Time, People, Money.
2. True leadership for innovation.
3. A list of ideas (without people's names beside them).
4. A filter (the innovation strategy document).
5. A structured, flexible innovation process spelt out in a document.
6. A list of specific goals.
7. A measurement system that shows that what you're doing makes a difference.
8. A reward system (could be money/could be "recognition")
Although this list is very simple, it can be very useful because you can actually ask people to show you these things and lay them out on the table.
"Where is this month's list of ideas?"
"Where is the document that states why this idea was screened out?"
"How much time does this guy have off this month to observe how people are solving problems?"
This all sounds a bit strict, but isn't this the whole idea about managing innovation: making it a repeatable process? And reducing risk?
Labels: innovation
posted by Gordon Graham at 1:28 AM
1 Comments:
Very nice writeup. The things you outline are key to innovation and a definite 'need to know' for a lot of smaller companies looking to innovate.
I am going to do a follow up on your entry which might be of interest. The trackback should post here, so you can check it out. have a great holiday and I look forward to reading more of your work!
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