Areas Ripe for Innovation

The adoption of cutting-edge technologies is among the most important areas for ensuring the future success of a company. For example, when industries in Tirupur adopted advanced spinning technology, this small town in Tamil Nadu found a place in the world markets, transforming it into a world-class facility for spun knitwear. Conversely, when the flourishing textile mills of Coimbatore failed to keep pace with the cutting-edge technologies adopted by the Japanese, the whole industry went into doldrums.

Individual creativity should be rewarded

The climate in many Indian companies is one of maintaining the status quo, where the management is more likely to opt for minor changes than trying to achieve dramatic breakthroughs. An individual rarely crosses the invisible borderline of what is widely accepted practice. To break this self-imposed barrier, it is essential for companies to publicly reward individual creativity, since rewards nurture creativity by affirming its value to the organization. Employees should be given innovation role-models in order to convey the importance of innovation to them. Even when an innovation fails, the innovator should not be punished for taking the risk. In fact, his initiative should be rewarded.

Used properly, suggestion boxes are a valuable tool

The use of suggestion boxes is a time-honored way of collecting ideas anonymously from employees and customers. However, suggestion boxes are often perceived as boxes where suggestions are lost. An organizational effort to make the process of analyzing and acting on suggestions, and rewarding them promptly and publicly, can improve their effectiveness. When desired, anonymity should be offered. Suggestion boxes can give us a lot of information if they are properly used.

Facilitators and outside consultants can be leveraged to kick-start innovation

Over a period of time, companies should train facilitators to take the innovation initiative forward. Such facilitators should be problem owners leading commando teams to solve problems in key result areas. Local facilitators are necessary for the long-term success of an innovation initiative. Outside help may be required initially to train the facilitators.

Outside consultants may be leveraged to put in place systems and processes required to institutionalize the practice of innovation. Stars make use of outside consultants to teach the tools of creativity leading to innovation, and to create a climate of innovation where the tools can be practiced.

Innovation Centers drive innovation

An Innovation Center that encourages the study of creativity and innovation tools is useful to help develop the culture of innovation. Such a center could include a library, a meeting room and a training center. Innovation symposiums may be held every month to highlight innovation successes. A hall of fame for innovators in the company could provide motivation for people to undertake the risk of innovation. The development of an Innovation Center indicates a long-term commitment to organizational innovation.

An open atmosphere ensures greater productivity

The atmosphere of a meeting is crucial. Meetings where people feel free to express themselves openly produce the most creative ideas. Listening skills are crucial. Thinking tools can ensure that everyone is able to think differently and intensively on the subject. The rules for idea generation and the creation of a positive atmosphere include the suspension of judgment, the postponement of reactions to an idea and the extension of efforts to support an idea.

Innovation should focus on specific business goals

Creativity is not a mere ‘feel-good’ tool for recreation. All innovation initiatives should focus on ideas that tackle problems related to important business goals. This enables measurement of the bottom line results of such an initiative.