Who isn't enamored by achieving innovation? The word itself has taken mythic proportions in the pantheon of technology and business that it has become an echo of itself - it's core lost in a bevy of marketing slogans. Then there's the slew of books and literature paying tributes to it which at the very least is already a struggle in reader comprehension (yet, include me to the list of the ever-trusting faithful to dive into it).
And so we ask, is there ever a simpler way to achieving innovation? And if two or more heads are better than one, what prevents companies from being creative and achieving this innovative culture? (Good question. I mean it's good to start with questions.)
Well, one way to start is by finding out what type of company you're in. Mark Sniukas points out a very interesting area in his post and calls it the 'Organizational Context'. "Research has shown that strategically innovative companies are characterized by a distinctive 'organizational context' enabling strategic innovation."
And what are these characteristics of strategically innovative companies? He names the five as:
1. Culture - Questioning attitude; Rewards success and failure; punishes inaction; Supports risk-taking; Welcomes change
2. Structure - Fast and flat; encourages collaboration
3. Processes - Decentralized decision-making; support idea generation, experimentation and execution
4. Systems - Supports the process of strategic innovation; enables collaboration
5. People - Variety (internal and internal); Collaboration
All characteristics do make perfect sense, really. Let me add that it is a mindset shaped by an environment that actually pushes people to explore and move beyond their perceived boundaries and limitations. One cannot just rely on innate skills and knowledge which to the most part remain dormant if not given proper nourishment. It might work for a rare talented and head-strong few but for most of the other equally talented workforce, concrete steps need to be taken for them to develop and unravel ideas.
So how does your company stack up on this? Need help? You may view Mark's presentation in which he further lists on steps to take in developing an innovative culture starting with 'making innovation everybody's everyday job'. Better yet, visit his blog - Seven Prophets and find enough seeds to grow a fruitful innovation ecosystem whatever group you are with.
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