Inspiring an Innovative Workplace Environment

Every forward-looking organization today is using the term innovation in its manifesto. There’s a lot of hype being made over the need to become more innovative in order to stay competitive. An organization can take initiatives in hopes of becoming more innovative, but true innovation isn’t always easy to define or capture.

True innovation will vary from business to business based on each organization’s culture and the products and services they offer. In every case, innovation includes the creation of something that solves a problem or enhances life. It might enhance in-house production, or it might be a marketable product.

What is it?

Most often, true innovation is the creation of something never before seen or tried within the demographic it is being utilized, rather than just an improvement on something that already exists. In every case, the goal of innovation is to create value for a specific product or service.

How to Create an Innovative Culture

Creating an innovation-inspired culture is no easy task. Small Businesses typically can’t merely hire an innovations expert to create neatly packaged leading-edge ideas and the fly. Innovation takes more than following a list of steps outlined in a manual or taught in a course. Usually innovation springs from the mind of a passionate person in the right environment that sees a possible solution to a problem.

To create an innovative climate, an organization will need to get past merely throwing the word around. Employee interaction is an important aspect to look at when transforming to a more innovative culture. It will need to define what innovation really means to the company, and communicate it by implementing a process for encouraging, filtering and utilizing new ideas. It’s important that an organization also defines boundaries- not to inhibit innovation, but to manage associated risks.

Ferret Out the Obstacles

There are usually obstacles in most organizations that either prevent or extinguish the free flow of ideas. Possible obstacles could be the current management style, insufficient development funds, inadequate tools or even a lack of space. Obstacles might also include poor communication, misunderstandings, personnel power plays, and inadequate knowledge. While not all obstacles can be avoided, make sure to address those which can be. One of the common barriers can also be one of the easiest to overcome- the ability to listen.

Big or Small

Innovation can occur in multiple ways. It can be low-level, or something that leads to unprecedented revenue. There’s no rulebook for how to create successful innovations. It’s more about having the right idea in the right place, nurtured by the right people at the right time. The key is to create an environment that supports, encourages, and rewards the free flow of ideas and creativity among your corporate family.

I am regularly discussing business life, strategies, and decisions with other entrepreneurs. Whether you facing an existing obstacle, or perhaps an ongoing concern, sometimes an outside viewpoint that otherwise may not have been considered may be the difference of where your company will be headed tomorrow. The approaches to making decisions and strategizing your business is almost unlimited. If you would like further ideas or guidance, feel free to contact Jim Schmitz for additional information by submitting this contact form. Jim will be in contact with you promptly.

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